All public and private schools will be closed for Diwali from October 20 to October 23, under the directive of the Uttar Pradesh Education Department. Diwali falls on October 20 and 21, Govardhan Puja is on October 22, and Bhai Dooj falls on October 23. Given the weekend of October 18 and 19, students will enjoy a continuous five-day holiday.
According to officials, the announcement of the holiday honours customs and allows communities across the state to participate in celebratory planning, rituals, and travel. The decision is released in advance of Diwali, which, according to the lunar calendar reference, falls on Monday, October 20.
Meanwhile, the government of Rajasthan has announced a 12-day break from October 13 to October 24. Diwali, Bhai Dooj, and other regional celebrations are being incorporated into the October schedules of several schools across India.
The Jammu division's schools have also announced an extended holiday from October 19 to November 2. All government and approved private schools up to the higher secondary level will observe Pooja holidays, according to a formal circular released by Manisha, Personal Officer at the Directorate of School Education, Jammu.
The next day of classes for Jammu schools is on Monday, November 3.
The administration has called on all schools to make sure that parents and children are aware of the official vacation schedule and to make it clear when the school will reopen.
School administrators are also urged to remind students of safety precautions to take during festivities, particularly about travel and fireworks, and to provide appropriate follow-up lessons for when classes return.
