As the new year begins on Thursday, schools are set to roll out their holiday schedules for the 2026–27 academic session. While private institutions may follow different timetables, several dates are expected to be observed uniformly by schools and colleges nationwide.
Winter and New Year holidays will keep many schools across India closed during the first half of January 2026. In Delhi, the winter break runs from 1 January to 15 January, bringing the academic year to a close, whereas schools in Jammu and Kashmir typically observe longer shutdowns, with some classes not resuming until February. Several institutions had already begun their holidays in late December 2025.
Schools facing severe foggy conditions may temporarily replace in-person classes
with online instruction.
Throughout 2026, schools under CBSE and various state boards across India are expected to close for key national and cultural festivals, including:
1 January – New Year’s Day
26 January – Republic Day
4–5 March – Holi / Holika Dahan (dates vary by region)
31 March – Mahavir Jayanti
3 April – Good Friday
1 May – Labour Day / May Day
15 August – Independence Day
2 October – Gandhi Jayanti
20 October – Dussehra
8 November – Diwali
24 November – Guru Nanak Jayanti
25 December – Christmas Day
CBSE, ICSE, and state education boards each issue their own holiday lists, and private schools often adjust these to suit their schedules. Across India, schools typically close for summer vacation in May and June 2026 to beat the intense heat. The timing differs across states and boards, with some starting the break in early May and reopening in June or early July, influenced by regional weather patterns.
Parents and students are advised that school holidays may differ depending on the lunar calendar, state directives, weather conditions, and other factors. The holiday calendar outlined above is provisional. Those attending private schools should check with their institutions for confirmed dates, as private schools set their own schedules in line with government guidelines and institutional requirements.
This holiday list for 2026 should be used only as a reference for early planning by parents and students. Final dates for educational institutions may differ across states or cities. Verifying official circulars before each holiday is crucial for exam preparations, travel arrangements, and work schedules.
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