Schools in several states and Union Territories (UTs) may remain closed on Monday, October 26, on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. However, the holiday status varies across the country, and students should check their respective school calendars before making plans.According to the holiday calendar available on the National Portal of India, October 26 is listed as a holiday in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi and Chandigarh. In some other states and UTs, the occasion is listed as a restricted or optional holiday.Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is not a nationwide compulsory holiday for all educational institutions. Therefore, private schools, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) schools may follow their respective academic calendars.
Valmiki Jayanti 2026 : State-wise school holiday list
Students and parents can check the status below to find out whether a holiday is listed for their state or Union Territory.
| State/Union Territory | Holiday status |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | No holiday confirmed |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Restricted/optional holiday |
| Assam | No holiday confirmed |
| Bihar | No holiday confirmed |
| Chhattisgarh | No holiday confirmed |
| Goa | No holiday confirmed |
| Gujarat | No holiday confirmed |
| Haryana | Holiday |
| Himachal Pradesh | Holiday |
| Jharkhand | No holiday confirmed |
| Karnataka | No holiday confirmed |
| Kerala | No holiday confirmed |
| Madhya Pradesh | Holiday |
| Maharashtra | No holiday confirmed |
| Manipur | Holiday for Mera Houchongba |
| Meghalaya | No holiday confirmed |
| Mizoram | Restricted/optional holiday |
| Nagaland | No holiday confirmed |
| Odisha | No holiday confirmed |
| Punjab | Holiday |
| Rajasthan | No holiday confirmed |
| Sikkim | No holiday confirmed |
| Tamil Nadu | No holiday confirmed |
| Telangana | No holiday confirmed |
| Tripura | Holiday for Laxmi Puja |
| Uttar Pradesh | Restricted/optional holiday |
| Uttarakhand | No holiday confirmed |
| West Bengal | No holiday confirmed |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | No holiday confirmed |
| Chandigarh | Holiday |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | No holiday confirmed |
| Delhi | Holiday |
| Jammu and Kashmir | No holiday confirmed |
| Ladakh | No holiday confirmed |
| Lakshadweep | Restricted/optional holiday |
| Puducherry | No holiday confirmed |
Note: The above information is based on the holiday calendar available on the National Portal of India. The final decision may vary by school and local administration. Students and parents should check the latest official circular or contact their school for confirmation.
Why is Valmiki Jayanti celebrated?
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, who is traditionally credited with composing the Ramayana. He is also known as the Adi Kavi, meaning the first poet in Sanskrit literature.The day is observed in his honour, with prayers and other events organised at several places.Students and parents are advised to check their school’s official communication channels, including notice boards, messaging groups and circulars, for the latest update on the October 26 holiday.