Diwali Holiday 2023: UP, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Bihar declared holidays; state-wise updates

NEW DELHI: In view of the Diwali festival, several state governments, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, have declared holiday for government schools, colleges and educational institutions. In the latest update, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a holiday for schools on November 14.

This year, Diwali falls on November 12, Sunday. It is a major Hindu religious festival that lasts for five days during the lunar months of Ashvina and Karttika. Some states have also declared holiday for 3 to 4 days in view of the Diwali festival.

Here’s the state-wise Diwali holiday update for schools, colleges and universities.

UP school Diwali holiday

The Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council has today said, “The holiday table to be given in schools/recognized basic schools in the year 2023 is out. 14.11.2023 is declared a holiday in the schools/recognized basic schools run under the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council. Make sure to take action as above,” the official circular read.

Tamil Nadu Diwali holiday

The Tamil Nadu government has also declared holiday on November 13 for schools, colleges, public sector institutions, government offices and other education institutions across the state. The decision to grant holiday was taken considering the students, parents and government officials returning from their hometown after celebrating Diwali.

The state government has ordered to declare November 18 as a working day to compensate for the holiday.

Puducherry Diwali holiday

The Lieutenant Governor, Puducherry has declared November 13, Monday, as holiday for all government offices, educational institutions, including professional colleges in all regions of Union Territory of Puducherry on account of Diwali. The UT has also directed the schools to function on November 18 to compensate for the holiday.

Bihar Diwali holiday

The new academic calendar notified by the Bihar education department received a lot of criticism due to the holiday cut . However, the decision to cancel holidays on Diwali, Durga Pooja, Raksha Bandhan, and other holidays was withdrawn after the teachers’ association warned to protest. As per the order, schools will have a day holiday for Diwali on November 12 and for Chitragupta Puja on November 15, and a two-day holiday on November 19 and 20 for Chhath Puja.