Schools and colleges across India are implementing diverse holiday schedules for Dussehra and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, 2025 . Educational institutions nationwide will observe closures. These breaks vary in duration, with some beginning in late September and extending into the first week of October.
The festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashmi, signifies the triumph of good over evil. It culminates the nine-day Navratri celebrations. This year, Dussehra falls on Thursday, October 2, 2025 . This date also marks Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. The convergence of these two significant dates mandates closures for most educational establishments.
National Overview of Holiday Observances
Dussehra celebrations involve varied traditions across India. States like West Bengal, Gujarat, and parts of North India celebrate Navratri and Durga Puja extensively. This leads to extended holiday periods beyond just October 2 . Other regions may observe shorter breaks, focusing specifically on the Dussehra holiday itself. These schedules align with respective state education department calendars and local cultural practices.
State-Specific Holiday Details
Holiday durations and start dates differ significantly by region. Some state-level holidays commenced in the last week of September. Others will begin closer to the October 2 national holiday.
West Bengal School Holidays
West Bengal schools are observing extended Durga Puja holidays. This period spans from September 26 to October 7, 2025 . Classes are scheduled to resume after October 6, 2025 . Earlier, schools in the state also closed on September 24 and 25 due to severe rainfall and flooding. These preemptive closures preceded the official festival break.
Delhi School Holidays
Schools in Delhi will observe an autumn break. This holiday period runs from September 29 to October 1 . With both Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra observed on October 2 , Delhi schools will reopen for classes on Friday, October 3, 2025 . Parents should confirm specific schedules directly with their children’s schools.
Maharashtra School Closures
Certain Maharashtra districts experienced school closures due to severe weather. Schools in Nashik, Thane, Palghar, Mumbai Suburban, Raigad, and Pune closed on September 29, 2025 . The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued heavy rain forecasts, prompting these safety-related closures. These were separate from the planned Dussehra festival holidays.
Telangana School Holidays
The Telangana School Board has announced a 9-day Dussehra break. This holiday period starts on September 27 and concludes on October 6, 2025 . Prior to this, schools in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh had observed a 13-day holiday. This earlier break ran from September 22 to October 2 . It encompassed the Saddula Bathukamma festival on September 29 and Dussehra on October 2, 2025 . Students and parents in these states should clarify which holiday schedule applies to their specific institution if there is overlap.
Holidays in Other States
States including Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha are observing Dussehra holidays throughout the week of October 2, 2025 . The exact duration and start dates in these regions align with their local festival calendars. These include specific traditions related to Dasara and Durga Puja celebrations.
Essential Information for Students and Parents
Students and parents are strongly advised to verify precise holiday dates directly with their respective schools and colleges. Private educational institutions may adhere to different academic calendars than those issued by state or local education departments. Official communications from individual school administrations will provide the most accurate information regarding closures and resumption of classes.