Maharashtra School Diwali Vacation 2026: Holidays Till November 14, Schools Reopen Monday, November 16
State-recognised schools in Maharashtra are on Diwali vacation from 2 to 14 November 2026 and reopen on Monday, 16 November for the second semester.
Photo: dhillan chandramowli / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 5th November 2026: State-recognised schools across Maharashtra are on Diwali vacation from Monday, 2 November to Saturday, 14 November 2026, and will reopen on Monday, 16 November, when the second semester begins. The 13-day break covers all of Diwali, from Vasubaras to Bhaubeej.
The schedule comes from the state education department’s academic calendar for 2026-27, Pune Pulse reported.
Which schools does the Diwali vacation apply to?
The break applies to recognised primary, secondary and higher secondary schools that follow the state academic calendar. That covers state board schools run by PMC, PCMC, Zilla Parishad and private managements in Pune.
CBSE, ICSE and international board schools set their own calendars. Many of them have a shorter Diwali break, so parents should check the school’s circular or app.
When do schools reopen after Diwali?
Sunday, 15 November is a holiday anyway, so classes resume on Monday, 16 November 2026. That is the first day of the second semester.
- First semester: 15 June to 31 October 2026
- Diwali vacation: 2 to 14 November 2026
- Second semester: 16 November 2026 to 1 May 2027
- Summer vacation: 3 May to 14 June 2027
Sakshi Education also reported the 2 to 14 November break and noted that dates may vary with local conditions. It said BMC schools in Mumbai have a longer break and resume on 25 November.
Can a school change the Diwali holidays on its own?
No. Pune Pulse reported that schools cannot change the holiday schedule among themselves. A school that needs to adjust holidays for a local festival must get prior permission from education authorities.
Under the Secondary School Code, total holidays of all kinds must stay within 76 days a year, and schools must complete at least 230 working days. That is why a longer Diwali break usually means fewer holidays elsewhere in the year.
What about Pune colleges?
The circular covers schools. Colleges, including degree colleges affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, follow their own academic calendars, so students should check their college notice for Diwali break dates.
How can Pune families plan the break?
With Lakshmi Pujan on Sunday, 8 November and Bhaubeej on Wednesday, 11 November, the break leaves a few free days after the festival. Our weekend getaways near Pune and Diwali Pahat list have ideas. If you are travelling by bus, see our report on MSRTC’s extra Diwali buses from Pune.
Which Diwali days fall in the vacation?
All of them. The break covers:
- Vasubaras: Thursday, 5 November
- Dhanteras: Friday, 6 November
- Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Pujan: Sunday, 8 November
- Diwali Padwa: Tuesday, 10 November
- Bhaubeej: Wednesday, 11 November
Banks follow a separate holiday list, so parents with branch work should check our November 2026 bank holidays for Maharashtra.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali vacation for Maharashtra schools in 2026?
From Monday, 2 November to Saturday, 14 November 2026, under the state academic calendar.
When will schools reopen after Diwali 2026 in Maharashtra?
State-recognised schools reopen on Monday, 16 November 2026, the first day of the second semester.
Does the Diwali vacation apply to CBSE schools in Pune?
Not automatically. CBSE and other board schools follow their own calendars, so check your school’s circular.
When is summer vacation 2027 for Maharashtra schools?
The academic calendar sets summer vacation from 3 May to 14 June 2027.
