The festival of Vijayadashami, known as Dussehra, will take place on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. During this festive time, markets come alive, and preparations for the 'Ravan Dahan' (the burning of Ravana's effigy) are in full swing. Students and their families eagerly anticipate a lengthy holiday, which varies by state.

Holiday Duration Across States

In North India, schools typically observe a 2 to 3-day holiday for Dussehra. Conversely, states in South India, along with West Bengal and Telangana, often enjoy a more extended break, commonly referred to as an 'autumn break' or Durga Puja holidays. Students are particularly excited about these holidays, as they provide a much-needed respite from their studies.

Dussehra School Holidays 2026: Duration and Dates
Dussehra is on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. By taking Monday off, it can create a long weekend. Many states extend their holiday for Dussehra. Below is a summary of school closures in various states for this festive occasion.

State-Specific Holiday Details

Uttar Pradesh: An 8-Day Break
Students in Uttar Pradesh will enjoy an 8-day holiday for Dussehra. The education department's calendar indicates that schools will be closed from October 18 to October 25, with classes resuming on Monday, October 26.

Delhi-NCR: Limited Holidays
In Delhi and the NCR region, schools will observe a three-day break from October 18 to October 20, 2026, as per the holiday calendar issued by the Directorate of Education, allowing families to celebrate together.

West Bengal: 12-Day Durga Puja Holiday
In West Bengal, the Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations are grand. Schools will remain closed for 12 consecutive days, from October 15 to October 26, immersing the state in a festive spirit.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh: Extended Breaks
In Telangana, students will have a break from October 10 to October 23, totaling 13 days after their 'Summative Assessment-1' (SA-1) exams. In Andhra Pradesh, schools will close from October 12 to October 21, resuming on October 22.

Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand: Holiday Schedules
In Rajasthan, government schools will be closed for 8 days from October 18 to October 25. Bihar's government and aided schools will observe a 5-day holiday from October 17 to October 21. Jharkhand will have a three-day holiday from October 19 to October 21, covering Maha Ashtami to Vijaya Dashami.