Schools across India will see a varied holiday schedule on September 18, 2026, with certain states closing educational institutions for religious celebrations while others continue normal operations.
In West Bengal, government and private schools alike will remain shut to mark Vishwakarma Puja, a festival dedicated to Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect and patron deity of craftsmen, engineers, and artisans. The day is celebrated with great fervour in eastern India, particularly in urban centres like Kolkata, where business establishments and workshops also close their doors.
Maharashtra, on the other hand, will see schools and colleges remain closed primarily due to the Ganeshotsav break. Thousands of devotees across the state are preparing for Ganesh Visarjan, the immersive ceremonial procession that marks the conclusion of the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Major cities including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik typically see extended holiday periods during this time, with state education departments declaring breaks well in advance.
Other states observing holidays include Karnataka and Telangana, where Ganesh Visarjan processions are a major cultural event, and Tamil Nadu, where Vishwakarma Puja is widely observed in industrial and engineering communities. Parts of Andhra Pradesh and Goa may also see school closures depending on local administrative notifications.
However, it is important to note that September 18 is not a nationwide school holiday. States such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and most northeastern states will continue with regular academic schedules unless individual school boards issue separate circulars.
Parents and students are advised to check with their respective schools or state education departments for the latest updates before planning their day. Many educational institutions, especially private and international schools, may declare additional holidays independently based on local demand and administrative discretion.
The split holiday schedule reflects India's federal structure in education, where school calendar decisions rest largely with state governments and individual school management bodies rather than a single central authority.
