When Diwali 2025India arrives on Monday, October 20, millions of students will find their classrooms empty, thanks to a patchwork of state‑issued holiday orders. The standard festivity window runs from Dhanteras on Saturday, October 18, through Bhai Dooj on Thursday, October 23, but each state has tweaked the dates to suit local customs and administrative calendars.
Overview of the 2025 Diwali Holiday Period
The central government’s Ministry of Education, through its Bureau of School Education, issued Advisory No. MHRD/BSE/2025/101 on August 1, reminding all states to honour the 200‑day instructional mandate set out in the Right to Education Act. Ministry of Education's Bureau of School Education also urged that any extended break be offset with supplementary learning modules.
The result? A tapestry of four‑ to fifteen‑day closures that reflect both the nation’s cultural diversity and the flexibility afforded by India’s federal education system.
State‑Specific Holiday Calendars
Below is a snapshot of the most notable schedules, drawn from official circulars released between May and September 2025.
- Delhi: Delhi Directorate of Education ordered a holiday on Monday, October 20 for Diwali and an additional break on Wednesday, October 22 for Govardhan Puja. Schools may open on Tuesday, October 21 for remedial classes, a decision left to individual school committees (Ms. Priyanka Sharma, Additional Director, Administration, confirmed the discretion).
- Uttar Pradesh: The Basic Education Department announced a four‑day shutdown from October 20‑23, with classes resuming on Thursday, October 24. Shri Rajendra Pratap Singh, Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council, said the break also accommodates Chhath Puja preparations.
- Jammu & Kashmir: A notification (No. JKSED/2025/Holidays) declared a 15‑day closure from Sunday, October 19 to Sunday, November 2 for schools in the Jammu division. The Indian Express later reported a five‑day version, a discrepancy still under review by education officials in Srinagar.
- Rajasthan: Circular No. RE/2025/Diwali/045 extends the break from Monday, October 13 to Friday, October 24 – one of the longest stretches nationwide.
- Bihar: Schools shut from Saturday, October 18 to Wednesday, October 29 to cover Diwali and the regional Chhath Puja, per Notification No. BE/2025/Chhath/289.
- Punjab: The Department of School Education has declared a four‑day holiday from Sunday, October 19 to Wednesday, October 22, including Vishwakarma Puja on the 19th.
- Maharashtra: SCERT guidelines set a four‑day break (Oct 18‑21), with some Mumbai and Pune schools extending until October 23 based on local temple committee advice.
- West Bengal: Schools observe holidays from Monday, October 20 to Thursday, October 23 for Kali Puja, Diwali, and Bhai Dooj.
- Karnataka: Circular No. DPI/2025/Diwali/33 orders closures on Monday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 22 for Naraka Chaturdashi and Balipadyami.
- Puducherry: Government schools close from Wednesday, October 15 to Tuesday, October 21 for Diwali and quarterly holidays, reopening on October 22.
All states have instructed principals to verify dates through official circulars, as minor local variations can still arise.
Why the Variations? Federal Structure and Legal Framework
Education in India is a concurrent subject, meaning both the Union and the states share responsibility. As education analyst Dr. Rajesh Kumar Verma of Delhi University explained in a September 5 interview, “The variation in holiday schedules reflects India’s federal structure where education is a concurrent subject, allowing states to adapt national holidays to local cultural contexts while maintaining minimum instructional days as mandated by the Right to Education Act, 2009.”
The RTE Act requires at least 200 working days per academic year. Consequently, any state that opts for an extended Diwali break must either start the school year earlier, compress other breaks, or provide remedial modules – a task largely shouldered by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
Legal scholars note that while the central advisory is non‑binding, failure to meet the 200‑day minimum could invite scrutiny under Section 19(1) of the RTE Act. So far, no state has publicly indicated non‑compliance, but the extended periods in Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir have raised eyebrows among policy watchdogs.
Impact on Students and the Academic Calendar
With approximately 260 million school‑age children nationwide, even a single day’s disruption reverberates across the education ecosystem. Teachers in states with longer breaks report concerns about loss of momentum, especially for students preparing for board examinations later in the year.
Prof. Anjali Mishra of Jawaharlal Nehru University warned that “extended breaks may impact learning outcomes, particularly for students in critical grade levels.” To mitigate this, NCERT has rolled out online learning modules and printed worksheets that schools can distribute during the holidays.
Parents, too, feel the pinch. In Delhi, many families juggle work commitments with childcare during the Diwali gap, prompting some private schools to offer optional weekend classes. Meanwhile, in rural Bihar, the longer holiday aligns with agricultural cycles, allowing children to help with harvest activities—a cultural nuance that policymakers must balance against academic continuity.
Looking Ahead: Recommendations and Monitoring
Education officials suggest a three‑pronged approach for the coming years:
- Standardise a baseline national holiday calendar that respects major festivals while leaving room for regional add‑ons.
- Require each state to submit a post‑holiday impact report by December 31, detailing attendance, learning loss metrics, and remedial actions.
- Strengthen coordination between the Ministry of Education’s Bureau of School Education and state bodies to ensure the 200‑day requirement is met without overburdening teachers.
Until such measures are in place, families, educators, and policymakers will continue to navigate the delicate dance between tradition and tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the Diwali holidays differ between Delhi and Rajasthan?
Delhi’s Directorate of Education only closes schools on October 20 for Diwali and October 22 for Govardhan Puja, allowing a possible makeup day on October 21. Rajasthan, by contrast, orders a 12‑day shutdown from October 13 to October 24, making it one of the longest holiday stretches this year.
Will the extended breaks affect the 200‑day schooling requirement?
States must offset any extra days by starting earlier, shortening other vacations, or providing supplementary lessons. The Ministry of Education’s advisory reminds them to stay compliant, and NCERT’s online modules are one tool being used to fill gaps.
What support is available for students who miss school during these holidays?
NCERT has released printable worksheets and digital tutorials covering core subjects. Some private schools also schedule optional weekend catch‑up classes, while state boards may permit make‑up exams for crucial assessments.
Why does Jammu & Kashmir report conflicting holiday lengths?
The official notification (JKSED/2025/Holidays) lists a 15‑day closure, but media reports have quoted a five‑day version. The discrepancy remains unresolved, with education officials in Srinagar still reviewing the exact dates.
How are teachers coping with the varied holiday schedules?
Many teachers view the break as a chance to recharge, but in states with longer pauses they must plan remedial lessons. The Ministry encourages schools to use the NCERT modules to reduce planning pressure.