As the new year approaches, students, teachers and parents eagerly wait for the official holiday calendar to plan school schedules, vacations, family functions and travel plans. For 2026, the government has released the new public and school holiday calendar, and the announcement has gained immediate attention especially with claims that government schools will get 65 holidays excluding Sundays. Here is a clear explanation of what the 2026 calendar includes and what it means for students and government institutions.
Government Holiday Calendar for 2026
The central government issues a fixed annual list of public holidays for its offices, including major national events, religious festivals and region-specific observances.
These include holidays like Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti and major festival breaks such as Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas and more. Additionally, each state issues its own list of regional holidays based on local festivals, traditions and cultural events.
While this central list applies to government departments and institutions, school calendars often differ because they include longer vacation periods and education-specific off-days.
School Holiday Calendar for 2026
The newly released school holiday calendar for 2026 has highlighted 65 holidays excluding Sundays, which has become a major point of discussion among parents and students. These holidays typically include:
- National holidays
- Major religious festivals
- Regional cultural holidays
- Teacher training days or school-specific events
- State-declared holidays
However, the total number of holidays may still vary from state to state, depending on regional festival dates and local administrative decisions. Schools also provide separate vacation periods such as summer break, winter vacation and mid-term holidays, which are not counted within the 65 holiday figure.
Why the Number of Holidays Varies Across States
India’s public holiday structure is not uniform across regions. Each state celebrates different festivals and observes different events. As a result, the holiday calendar for schools in one state may differ significantly from another.
For example, southern states often include regional observances like Onam or Pongal, while northern states may have extended festival breaks around Holi or Chhath Puja.
Do All Schools Really Get 65 Holidays?
The claim of exactly 65 holidays excluding Sundays applies only to the newly issued calendar for specific state government schools. Different states may have higher or lower totals based on regional festivals and administrative notifications. Some states have even released calendars showing more than 65 holidays for 2026.
Therefore, while the number “65 holidays” works as a general reference for some regions, it is not a universal holiday count across India.
What Parents and Students Should Do Next
If you want to plan ahead, it’s best to:
- Check the official holiday calendar released by your state education department
- Confirm vacation dates directly from your school
- Watch for updates, as some festival dates may shift based on moon-sighting or government revisions
Conclusion
The 2026 government school holiday calendar brings clarity for families planning the year ahead. With 65 holidays excluding Sundays in several states, students can look forward to a well-spread holiday schedule. However, holiday totals differ across states, so parents should refer to their local state calendar for the most accurate and updated list.