Diwali 2025 Holiday: State-wise list for school & college closures

Diwali 2025 holidays in schools, colleges and other educational institutes

Diwali celebrations across India will usher in a six-day school holiday period, starting from Dhanteras on October 18 and concluding with Bhai Dooj on October 23. This extended break encompasses key festive occasions, including Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, the main Diwali day, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. In addition to these, in the eastern parts of the country, Kali Puja is also celebrated, for which states such as West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura and parts of Bihar are known for.

Although this schedule is widely followed nationwide, several states have introduced variations to their school holiday calendars to reflect local customs and practices.

Jammu and Kashmir

In light of the upcoming Diwali celebrations, the Jammu and Kashmir government has declared a five-day school holiday across the Jammu division. According to the official notice, all government and private schools up to the higher secondary level will remain closed starting October 19.

Personal Officer at the Directorate of School Education Jammu, Manisha, stated, “It is hereby ordered that all government educational institutions and recognised private schools up to the higher secondary level in the Jammu division shall observe Pooja holidays from October 19 to November 2.”

Additionally, the University of Jammu has announced a three-day academic break, postponing examinations scheduled for October 20, 22, and 23. The leave was approved by Jammu University’s Joint Registrar (Examinations), Dr Raj Kumar. New dates will be announced soon by the registrar.

Punjab

According to the government’s official holiday calendar, schools across many regions will observe a continuous four-day break from October 19 to October 22, 2025. The stretch begins with the regular weekly holiday on Sunday, October 19, followed by Diwali on Monday, October 20, which is a gazetted holiday. Tuesday, October 21, is expected to be a post-Diwali holiday in most schools, allowing families to continue festive celebrations. The break concludes with Vishwakarma Puja on Wednesday, October 22, another gazetted holiday.

Delhi

In Delhi, schools are expected to remain closed on October 20 for Diwali and October 22 for Govardhan Puja, as outlined in the official holiday calendar issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE).

Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, schools will observe a Diwali holiday from October 20 to October 23, 2025. With October 19 falling on a Sunday, students are set to enjoy a four-day extended break.

Bihar

In the poll-bound state, schools will remain closed during the Diwali festivities, and additional holidays have been scheduled in the lead-up to Chhath Puja.

West Bengal

In West Bengal, schools will remain closed from October 20 to October 23, 2025, covering key festive occasions such as Kali Puja on October 20, Diwali on October 21, and Bhai Dooj on October 23.

Assam

Schools in Assam will remain closed on October 20 as the state is observing Diwali and Kali Puja on the day.

Odisha

Odisha schools will remain closed on October 20 as the state is observing Diwali and Kali Puja on the day.

Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, the Diwali holiday schedule for schools typically spans from October 18 to October 21, giving students a four-day festive break. However, some institutions may extend the holidays further to include Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, observed on October 22 and 23, respectively.

For specific dates and updates, parents and students are encouraged to refer to individual school notices or official announcements.

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, schools are expected to remain closed from October 18 through October 21, 2025, to accommodate Diwali festivities.

Andhra Pradesh

In anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, all government and private schools in four mandals—Kurnool Rural, Kurnool Urban, Kallur, and Orvakal—have been ordered to remain closed on October 15 and 16, 2025. The temporary closure is part of the administrative preparations and security arrangements surrounding the high-profile visit.

Karnataka

In Karnataka, schools have been closed from October 8 to 18, 2025, to facilitate the participation of teachers in the ongoing socioeconomic caste survey across the state. In addition to this extended break, the government has designated October 20 (Naraka Chaturdashi) and October 22 (Balipadyami, Deepavali) as official holidays.