New Delhi, October 26, 2026: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is being observed on Monday, but school holiday arrangements vary by state, district and institution. Parents and students should not assume that every school across India is closed today; the relevant state government notification or school circular remains the most reliable confirmation.
What published holiday lists say
India Today’s October 25 report listed Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi and Chandigarh among places where the day was listed as a holiday. A separate Moneycontrol report also listed Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. The lists do not fully match, underlining why families should verify the applicable local order rather than rely on a single national list.
Central holiday calendar marks it as restricted
The National Portal of India’s central holiday calendar lists Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday on October 26 as a restricted holiday. That designation does not automatically mean all schools or state government offices across the country must close. State calendars, local orders and individual school schedules can differ.
What parents and students should check
- Look for a dated notice from the state education department or district administration.
- Check the school’s official website, parent messaging group or notice board.
- Confirm whether the notice applies to government, aided and private schools, and whether examinations or staff duties are treated differently.
- If no official closure notice is available, contact the school directly before changing travel plans.
Why the day is observed
Maharishi Valmiki is traditionally regarded as the author of the Ramayana and is honoured as the Adi Kavi, or first poet, in Sanskrit literary tradition. The day is marked in many places with prayers, cultural programmes and community events.
Sources: India Today; Moneycontrol; National Portal of India — central holiday calendar.
Image credit: Statue of Maharishi Valmiki at Hoshiarpur, photographed by Sarbjit Bahga; used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Editorial note: State-wise reports differ. This article intentionally does not claim a uniform nationwide school closure.
