January 2026 School Holidays: Check Full List of Dates When Schools Will Be Closed

• January 2026 brings winter vacations, festival holidays, and national observances. From New Year’s Day to Republic Day, schools across India will remain closed on several key dates, check details below.

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January 2026 School Holidays: The month is known for winter vacations in many northern states and for major festivals celebrated across different parts of the country. From New Year’s Day to Republic Day, January offers several breaks from regular school schedules.

In many parts of north India, schools remain closed for several days because of the cold wave. States such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan continue their winter vacations, which usually start in late December and last until the first or second week of January. The Haryana government has already announced winter vacations for all schools from January 1 to January 15, 2026. Schools in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh may also see extended closures if cold conditions continue.

In southern India, January holidays are mainly linked to harvest festivals. Pongal is widely celebrated in states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, leading to multiple days of school holidays. In eastern and north-eastern regions, festivals such as Magh Bihu are also observed.

Below is a list of important dates in January 2026 when schools are likely to remain closed either across India or in specific states:

Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14, 2026, across the country. In Gujarat, the festival is observed as Uttarayan, and schools usually remain closed for two days. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Pongal celebrations run from January 14 to January 17, resulting in a longer holiday period for students. Assam also observes a holiday for Magh Bihu on the same day.

January 26, 2026, marks Republic Day and falls on a Monday. As a national holiday, all schools, colleges, and government offices across India will remain closed. Many schools also observe weekly holidays on Saturday and Sunday, which means students may get a long weekend around Republic Day, with January 24 and 25 falling on Saturday and Sunday.

It is important to note that school holidays can vary from state to state and also depend on the education board, such as CBSE, ICSE, or state boards. For instance, January 23 is a holiday in West Bengal for Netaji Jayanti, while schools in other states may function as usual. In some regions, schools may also remain closed on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti on January 6.

Students and parents are advised to check the official school holiday calendar issued by their respective schools or education boards. Local authorities may also extend winter vacations depending on weather conditions, especially in areas affected by severe cold.