School Holiday List 2027-28 - Month-Wise Calendar for All States

In short: Planning the school year ahead? This is the most comprehensive holiday list for the 2027-28 academic year (April 2027 to March 2028). Every month is covered with date, holiday name, type (Gazetted, Restricted, or Festival), and which states observe it. National holidays, major festivals, seasonal breaks, and state-specific observances are all included. You will also find a section on state-wise differences and guidance on downloading official holiday lists from CBSE and state board websites.

How to Use This Holiday List

This list covers the academic year from April 2027 to March 2028. Holidays are categorized as:

• Gazetted: National or state government-declared holidays. Schools, banks, and government offices are closed.
• Restricted: Optional holidays that may or may not be observed by individual schools. Employees can choose a limited number of restricted holidays.
• Festival: Religious or cultural festivals that are holidays in states where they are widely celebrated.
• Seasonal Break: Extended school closures (summer, winter, Dussehra-Diwali).

Important note: The exact dates of some holidays (especially Islamic festivals like Eid and Muharram) depend on the moon sighting and may shift by a day. Hindu festival dates are based on the lunar calendar and are provided as per the expected 2027-28 calendar. Always confirm with your school or board for the official list.

April 2027

May 2027

Summer Vacation Note: Summer vacation dates vary significantly across India. North Indian states (UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, Delhi) typically have vacations from mid-May to late June. South Indian states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka) often have shorter summer breaks in April-May since their academic year starts in June. CBSE schools generally follow a May-June summer break. Check your specific school calendar for exact dates.

June 2027

Note: June is when most Indian schools reopen for the new academic session (2027-28). South Indian schools may reopen earlier (first week of June). Some schools in hill stations have different academic calendars with March-April reopening.

July 2027

August 2027

September 2027

October 2027

October Note: October is the most holiday-heavy month in the Indian school calendar. Between Navratri, Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali, students typically get 2-3 weeks off (either as one continuous break or split). This is sometimes called the "Dussehra-Diwali break."

November 2027

December 2027

Winter Vacation Note: Winter break varies dramatically by region. North Indian plains states typically get 10-15 days off (late December to early January). Hill states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir may get 1-2 months of winter vacation due to extreme cold. South Indian states generally do not have a significant winter break.

January 2028

February 2028

February Note: February is typically when pre-board exams and board exam preparations are in full swing. Few holidays fall during this month, which is helpful for exam preparation. Schools may have reduced schedules for board exam students.

March 2028

March Note: Board exams for CBSE, ICSE, and most state boards typically happen in February-March. Schools adjust schedules accordingly. Non-board classes may have their annual exams in March as well.

Summary - Total Holidays by Type

Total school holidays in a year: Approximately 70-90 days including weekends and all types of holidays. This varies by state, board, and individual school.

State-Wise Differences - Key Points

India's holiday calendar varies significantly from state to state. Here is why and how.

North India (Delhi, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, Punjab, Haryana, HP, Uttarakhand, J&K)

• Longer winter vacations: 10-15 days in plains, 1-2 months in hill states.
• Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, Holi: Major holidays with extended breaks.
• Chhath Puja: Major holiday in Bihar and Jharkhand (November).
• Lohri and Baisakhi: Specific to Punjab and Haryana.
• Academic year: April to March in most states.

South India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana)

• Shorter winter break: Typically just Christmas week.
• Longer summer break: Often in April-May (before the academic year starts in June).
• Onam: Major holiday in Kerala (August-September, 4-5 days).
• Pongal: Major holiday in Tamil Nadu (January, 3-4 days).
• Ganesh Chaturthi: Major in Karnataka, AP, and Telangana.
• Academic year: June to April in most South Indian states.

East India (West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand)

• Durga Puja: The biggest holiday season in West Bengal (October, 5-10 days off).
• Rath Yatra: Major in Odisha (June-July).
• Bihu: Major in Assam (April - Rongali Bihu, January - Magh Bihu).
• Chhath Puja: Bihar and Jharkhand (November).

West India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa)

• Ganesh Chaturthi: 10-day festival, schools may close for 2-3 days in Maharashtra.
• Navratri/Garba: Major in Gujarat (October, extended celebrations).
• Goa Liberation Day: December 19, specific to Goa.
• Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Day: May 1.

Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim)

• State-specific festivals: Each northeastern state has unique festivals (Bihu in Assam, Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, Wangala in Meghalaya, Sangai Festival in Manipur).
• Christmas: Widely celebrated in states with significant Christian populations (Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur).
• Holiday patterns differ significantly from the rest of India. Check state government calendars specifically.

How to Download the Official Holiday List

CBSE Schools

1. Visit the CBSE official website: cbse.gov.in
2. Go to "Circulars" or "Academic" section.
3. Look for the annual academic calendar circular (usually released in March-April for the coming academic year).
4. CBSE provides a general calendar framework but individual schools have flexibility in scheduling holidays.
5. Your school should share its specific holiday list at the start of the academic year.

ICSE Schools (CISCE)

1. Visit the CISCE website: cisce.org
2. Check the "Notifications" or "Circulars" section.
3. ICSE schools have more autonomy in setting their calendars compared to CBSE.
4. Contact your school administration for the specific holiday list.

State Board Schools

Each state education department publishes its official academic calendar and holiday list. Here is how to find them:

Tip: If you cannot find the official holiday list online, the simplest approach is to ask your school office for a printed copy at the start of the academic year. Schools are required to share this information with parents and students.

How to Make the Most of School Holidays

Holidays are not just time off - they are opportunities for learning and growth beyond the classroom.

For Short Holidays (1-3 days)

• Catch up on any pending homework or assignments.
• Revise one chapter per subject.
• Read a book, watch a documentary, or explore a hobby.
• Spend time with family.

For Festival Breaks (5-10 days, like Dussehra-Diwali)

• Complete holiday homework early (first 2-3 days).
• Dedicate 1-2 hours per day to studies (light revision or reading ahead).
• Participate in festival activities - they teach culture, teamwork, and creativity.
• Visit relatives, play with friends, and recharge.

For Summer Vacation (30-45 days)

• Complete summer homework in the first 2 weeks.
• Learn a new skill: coding, a musical instrument, a sport, a language.
• Read at least 3-4 books.
• Pursue a hobby project: science experiment, art portfolio, blog writing.
• If transitioning to Class 10 or 12, use summer to get a head start on the new syllabus.
• Travel, explore, and have fun - vacations are meant for refreshment.

For Winter Vacation (10-15 days)

• Focus on revision if board exams are approaching (Class 10 and 12 students).
• Non-board students can use this time for reading and light preparation for upcoming exams.
• Enjoy winter activities: visit relatives, holiday traditions, rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these holiday dates confirmed or expected?

The national holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) are fixed. Festival dates are based on the expected lunar calendar for 2027-28 and may vary by 1-2 days. Islamic festivals depend on moon sighting and may shift. Always confirm with your school or board for official dates.

Do all schools follow the same holiday calendar?

No. National holidays are universal, but individual schools have flexibility in scheduling other holidays. CBSE schools follow a CBSE framework but set their own detailed calendars. State board schools follow the state education department calendar. Private and international schools may have different schedules altogether.

Why do some states have more holidays than others?

India's cultural diversity means different states celebrate different festivals. A festival that is a major holiday in one state may not be observed in another. For example, Pongal is a 3-4 day holiday in Tamil Nadu but not observed in most North Indian states. Chhath Puja is a major holiday in Bihar but not in South India. This regional variation is one of India's strengths - it reflects the country's rich cultural mosaic.

Can schools declare extra holidays beyond the official list?

Yes, schools can declare holidays for school-specific events (annual day, sports day, parent-teacher meetings) or due to emergencies (weather, natural disasters, health concerns). They can also cancel or adjust holidays with appropriate notice.

How many total working days should a school have in a year?

CBSE recommends a minimum of 220 working days per academic year (including examination days). State boards have their own requirements, usually ranging from 200-230 working days. This means about 135-145 days are non-working (including Sundays, holidays, and vacations).

What if an exam falls on a holiday?

Board exams are scheduled around major holidays, but occasionally there may be conflicts with state-specific or religious holidays. In such cases, the exam date takes priority. Schools may adjust internal exams if they coincide with holidays, but board exam dates are fixed by the board and cannot be changed.

Plan Your Year, Plan Your Success

Having the holiday calendar in advance helps students and parents plan study schedules, family trips, and extracurricular activities throughout the year. Use the longer breaks strategically - for revision before exams, for catching up on weak subjects, or for learning something new.

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