The Chhattisgarh School Education Department, working under the Government of Chhattisgarh, unveiled the official 2025‑26 school holiday calendar on March 12, 2025 from its headquarters in Raipur. The schedule earmarks a total of 64 days when government‑run schools will stay shut, stretching from the Dussehra 2025 break in late September through the summer vacation that ends in June 2026. Parents, teachers and students get a clear roadmap for festival observances, winter and summer rests, and the rare six‑day Dussehra stretch that runs from September 29 to October 4, 2025.
Overview of the 2025‑26 Holiday Calendar
At a glance, the calendar clusters most of the festive holidays in October, a month traditionally heavy with celebrations in central India. The Department says the intention is to give students ample time to participate in cultural rituals without sacrificing instructional hours. The list includes not only national holidays like Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on October 2, but also regional observances such as Chhath Puja 2025. In total, the calendar comprises 64 distinct closure days, broken down as follows:
- 6 days for Dussehra (Sep 29 – Oct 4)
- 5 days for Diwali and related festivities (Oct 18 – Oct 23)
- 1 day for Chhath Puja (Oct 27)
- Winter vacation: Dec 20 – Jan 31
- Summer vacation: Apr 15 – Jun 15
- Other statutory holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, etc.)
Key Festival Breaks and Their Dates
Six‑day Dussehra break
The Dussehra window starts on Wednesday, September 29, 2025, which coincides with the final day of Navratri. Schools remain closed through Thursday, October 2 – a day that doubles as Gandhi Jayanti – and continues until Monday, October 4. The Department noted that the extended break lets families travel to their hometowns for the traditional “Ramlila” performances and the symbolic burning of Ravana’s effigy.
Diwali and related holidays
Diwali festivities kick off with Dhanteras on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The main Diwali day falls on Monday, October 20, followed by Diwali Amavasya (Laxmi Puja) on Tuesday, October 21. Govardhan Puja is observed on Wednesday, October 22, and Bhaidooj (Balipratipada) on Thursday, October 23. Each of these days sees schools closed across the state, allowing students to partake in lighting diyas, exchanging sweets, and visiting relatives.
Chhath Puja
Scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2025, Chhath Puja is a harvest‑related festival celebrated along rivers and lakes. The holiday adds a solitary but significant closure, especially for districts bordering the Mahanadi River where the rituals are most elaborate.
Impact on Students, Teachers, and Families
For teachers, the calendar offers a structured break that can be used for lesson planning and professional development workshops. Many schools in Raipur have already scheduled in‑service training during the winter vacation. Parents, especially those in rural areas, appreciate the consolidated holiday period as it reduces the need for intermittent leave requests.
One parent from Bilaspur, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “The six‑day Dussehra break means we can finally take a short trip to our village without worrying about missing school days. The longer stretch also lets my kids attend the community puja without rushing.”
Conversely, private schools are not bound by the same schedule and may choose to remain open, creating a slight disparity. The Department’s spokesperson, Ramesh Shukla, explained, “Our aim is to provide a uniform framework for government schools. Private institutions can decide based on their own calendars, but we encourage them to align where possible.”
Comparisons with Other Indian States
Chhattisgarh’s calendar mirrors a broader trend of clustering October festivals, but the exact dates differ. Uttar Pradesh, for instance, announced Dussehra holidays only for October 1‑2, 2025, while Bihar extended its Durga Puja closures up to October 5. The longer Chhattisgarh break is partly due to the state’s effort to accommodate both Dussehra and Gandhi Jayanti on the same day, a move praised by cultural activists.
Education analysts note that such alignment can boost tourism in temple towns like Rajim, where the Dussehra fair attracts thousands. “When schools close for a longer stretch, families travel more, which benefits local economies,” says Dr. Anjali Verma, a senior researcher at the Indian Institute of Education Policy.
What Parents Should Plan For
Given the dense October schedule, families are advised to:
- Mark the six‑day Dussehra window and the subsequent Diwali week on calendars early to avoid last‑minute bookings.
- Arrange childcare or tutoring for younger children who may need supervision during extended breaks.
- Coordinate with school heads about any optional remedial classes that might be offered during winter or summer vacations.
- Stay updated on any last‑minute changes; the Department usually circulates notices via local newspapers and the official portal.
Overall, the 2025‑26 holiday calendar aims to balance cultural participation with academic continuity, a delicate act that the Department hopes will set a precedent for future years.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Total school off days: 64
- Dussehra break: September 29 – October 4, 2025 (6 days)
- Diwali series: October 18 – 23, 2025 (5 days)
- Chhath Puja: October 27, 2025 (1 day)
- Winter vacation: December 20, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Summer vacation: April 15 – June 15, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the six‑day Dussehra break affect exam schedules?
Most schools will complete the term’s syllabus before the Dussehra period, pushing internal assessments to early October. The Department advises teachers to use the preceding weeks for revision, ensuring exams do not clash with the holiday.
Will private schools follow the same calendar?
Private institutions are not mandated to adopt the schedule, but many choose to align for convenience. Some may keep classes open during Dussehra or Diwali, offering optional tutoring instead of a full shutdown.
What transportation changes can commuters expect?
State transport services typically reduce frequency on holiday dates. In Raipur, extra buses are scheduled on the first and last days of the Dussehra break to accommodate increased travel to rural areas.
How does the calendar compare to previous years?
The 2025‑26 roster adds two more days to the Dussehra stretch compared with the 2024‑25 schedule, primarily to synchronize with Gandhi Jayanti. The overall count of 64 off days remains consistent with the last three academic cycles.
Where can families find the full official calendar?
The complete document is posted on the Chhattisgarh School Education Department’s website and is also available in printed form at every district education office.