Kamal Ghorui
April 2026 school holidays: The academic year for 2026-27 is expected to start in April, accompanied by a string of school holidays related to national and regional festivities. The educational institutions in multiple states have begun preparations to start in April, observing the scheduled holidays.April has a mix of gazetted and regional holidays, which impact school functions in multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan. While the number of holidays varies, multiple dates fall during weekends.Key holidays scheduled through AprilThe holiday season starts early in April. April 1 marks the beginning of the year’s closure of commercial banks. This is followed by Hanuman Jayanti on April 2, observed in several states.
Good Friday on April 3 is recognised nationwide, leading to closures in most schools and colleges. Easter Sunday falls on April 5 and is observed as a public holiday.Mid-month celebrations involve Baisakhi on the 13th of April, which is celebrated throughout northern India. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti on the 14th is celebrated as a public holiday throughout the country. Regional celebrations include Baisakhi and Vishu on the same day.Other regional celebrations on the 15th of April include Bohag Bihu and Himachal Day. Chandrashekhar Jayanti on the 17th is celebrated as a regional public holiday.Start of new academic sessionApril marks the beginning of the new academic session for schools in India. Students move to the next academic level. They receive the new academic curriculum and learn about the new academic timetable.In the initial weeks, the focus is on providing the new academic books to the students. Establishing academic habits is also important during this time.Summer vacation timeline and adjustmentsIncrease in temperatures during the last part of April is the reason for some states to adjust the time table or start the early summer vacation. The major part of the vacation is expected to start from mid-May, with the duration ranging from 30 to 45 days.Boards such as the CBSE, ICSE, and state governments publish separate holiday calendars, which are followed by private schools as well. In most areas, schools remain closed during May and June, with the reopening scheduled between June and early July depending on the climate.Regional variations in holiday observanceHoliday observances vary from state to state due to the occurrence of regional festivals. Baisakhi is an important festival in the northern part of India, while Pohela Boishakh is observed in West Bengal. Tamil New Year festivals influence the closure of schools in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while Bohag Bihu is an important festival in the state of Assam.
