November 2026 is set to bring several festival-related holidays for school students across India. Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti are among the major occasions during the month. However, the number of holidays and the length of school breaks will differ from one state to another, depending on government notifications and individual school calendars.
Some states have announced extended festive breaks, while others have declared holidays only for specific festival dates. Students and parents are advised to check the latest circular issued by their respective schools before making travel or other plans.
Important festival dates in November 2026
The following are some of the major festivals and observances scheduled for November 2026:
| Date | Day | Festival or occasion |
| November 1 | Sunday | Kannada Rajyotsava and Haryana Day |
| November 6 | Friday | Dhanteras |
| November 8 | Sunday | Diwali and Naraka Chaturdashi |
| November 9-10 | Monday-Tuesday | Govardhan Puja observance; dates vary by calendar |
| November 11 | Wednesday | Bhai Dooj |
| November 14 | Saturday | Children's Day |
| November 13-16 | Friday-Monday | Chhath Puja observances |
| November 24 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartik Purnima |
Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, which falls on a Sunday. Govardhan Puja is listed on November 9 in some holiday calendars, while other Hindu calendar sources place it on November 10. The exact observance and school holiday may therefore depend on the regional calendar followed by the state or institution.
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State-wise school holiday details
Tamil Nadu: The state government has declared November 9, Monday, as a public holiday for schools, colleges and other educational institutions because Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8. To compensate for the additional holiday, November 28, Saturday, has been declared a working day for educational institutions and government offices covered by the order.
The Indian Express
Uttar Pradesh: The 2026 state holiday calendar includes November 8 for Diwali, November 9 for Govardhan Puja and November 11 for Bhaiya Dooj. November 15 and 16 are also listed as restricted or optional holidays in the reported calendar. Schools should follow the applicable education department instructions.
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Bihar: Government and government-aided schools are scheduled to observe a festival break from November 7 to 17. The break covers Diwali, Bhai Dooj and Chhath-related observances. November 24 is also listed as a holiday for Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartik Purnima.
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Jharkhand: The reported state academic calendar includes holidays on November 9 for Govardhan Puja, November 11 for Bhaiya Dooj or Chitragupta Puja, and November 16 and 17 for Chhath Puja.
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Maharashtra: Schools are reported to have a Diwali vacation from November 2 to 14. The exact reopening date should be confirmed through the relevant school calendar.
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Chhattisgarh: A festival break from November 6 to 11 has been reported for schools in the state. Parents should verify the dates with their schools, as schedules may differ between institutions.
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Goa: A school vacation from November 2 to 21 has been reported. Students should check their school's reopening notice for confirmation.
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Gujarat: Reports indicate that schools may remain closed from November 5 to 25 for the festive break, with the second term expected to begin on November 26. The schedule should be checked against the relevant school or state education department notification.
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Diwali and Govardhan Puja holidays
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of India's major festivals. Families celebrate the occasion with traditional prayers, lamps, decorations and gatherings. In 2026, the festival falls on Sunday, November 8.
Govardhan Puja is celebrated after Diwali and is associated with Lord Krishna. The festival is also known as Annakut in several regions. Some state holiday calendars list November 9, while other calendars give November 10 as the observance date. This difference means students should rely on their state's official holiday notification rather than assume that every school will close on the same day.
Bhai Dooj, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, falls on Wednesday, November 11. It is observed in several northern and western parts of India.
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Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti
Chhath Puja is an important festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. It is widely observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of other states. The four-day observance in 2026 runs from November 13 to 16, with the evening offering to the setting Sun on November 15 and the morning offering on November 16. Since the main observances fall across a weekend and Monday, school closures will depend on state and local notifications.
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Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 24. It marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. The occasion is observed with prayers, devotional singing, processions and community service. It is included in India's 2026 all-India holiday list published by India Post.
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What parents and students should remember
Not every festival listed in the November calendar automatically results in a school holiday across India. Some dates are gazetted holidays, while others are restricted holidays or regional observances. Private schools, central government schools and state government schools may also follow different schedules.
Parents should check official circulars from their state education departments and the holiday calendar shared by their children's schools. They should also confirm reopening dates, especially in states where extended Diwali vacations have been reported.
With several festivals falling during the month, November 2026 will provide students in many states with additional breaks. However, the final school holiday schedule will depend on the official notification applicable to each institution.
