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Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026: Official School Holiday Schedules Announced for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand

Education departments across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand have released official school holiday calendars for the November 2026 Diwali and Chhath Puja festive season.

Gaurav Sen
By Gaurav Sen
Senior Editorial Director & Lead Geopolitical Analyst
•2 min read•0 views
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Students walking out of school gates during autumn afternoon.
Students leaving a school campus as educational institutions announce holiday schedules for the upcoming festive season.

Festive Season Scheduling for November 2026

Students across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand are preparing for an extended festive break in November 2026, coinciding with the major celebrations of Diwali and Chhath Puja. Because the calendar places Diwali on Sunday, November 8, and Chhath Puja on Sunday, November 15, state education authorities and academic councils have issued specific notifications to clarify school closure timelines.

While the weekend alignment of the primary festival dates requires careful coordination, state-level education boards have published comprehensive schedules detailing closures for subsidiary celebrations including Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, and Chitragupta Puja.

Bihar State School Calendar

According to the official holiday calendar released by the Bihar Education Department for 2026, schools across the state are scheduled to remain closed consecutively from November 7 to November 17. This extended window accommodates the core festivities of Diwali, Bhai Dooj, and Chhath Puja.

Additionally, the state education calendar has designated November 24 as an official holiday to mark Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartik Purnima.

Jharkhand Academic Council Announcements

In neighboring Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Academic Council has outlined specific dates for regional observances through its official academic calendar.

* November 9: Designated as a holiday for Govardhan Puja. * November 11: Designated for Bhaiya Dooj and Chitragupta Puja. * November 16 and 17: Official holidays designated specifically for Chhath Puja celebrations.

Uttar Pradesh Government Holiday Schedules

The government of Uttar Pradesh has published its gazetted and restricted holiday framework for the festive month. The official calendar marks November 8 (Diwali), November 9 (Govardhan Puja), and November 11 (Bhaiya Dooj) as official gazetted holidays.

Furthermore, state authorities have designated November 15 and 16 as restricted or optional holidays to accommodate Chhath Puja observances.

Verification and Administrative Guidance

Daily News 365 reminds parents and students that exact closure dates can vary based on institutional autonomy and district-level administrative directives. Stakeholders are strongly advised to cross-reference state notifications with their respective school calendars and confirm holiday schedules directly with class teachers.

Gaurav Sen

About Gaurav Sen

Senior Editorial Director & Lead Geopolitical Analyst

Senior Editorial Director and investigative correspondent covering national affairs, international relations, defense, and economic policy for Daily News 365.

@gauravsen_newsgaurav.sen@globalnews365.com