Gujarat circular fixes November 26 start of primary schools' second term
By Aditi KulkarniEducation Writer, Peepals Bharat
Representative image: Tuyếtsnow / Pixabay
Gujarat's primary schools will be on Diwali vacation from November 5 to 25, 2026, with the second term from November 26, under an October 26 circular.
What Happened
Gujarat's government primary schools will close for a 21-day Diwali vacation from Thursday, November 5, to Wednesday, November 25, 2026, and the second term will begin on Thursday, November 26, according to a circular of the state's Directorate of Primary Education dated Monday, October 26, 2026. The circular asks district education officers to announce the dates so that primary and secondary schools in each district follow the same schedule. Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Key Facts
- Vacation: November 5 to November 25, 2026, 21 days in all.
- Second term: begins November 26, 2026.
- Issued by: Gujarat's Directorate of Primary Education, in a circular dated October 26, 2026.
- Basis: the dates follow the annual school activity calendar of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, so primary and secondary schools stay in step.
- Teacher training institutes: first-year academic work resumes earlier, on November 19, 2026, to meet the working-day norms of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
- Scope: the circular covers recognised primary schools; secondary and higher secondary schools follow instructions from their own authorities.
Why It Matters
In Gujarat, Diwali and the Gujarati New Year that follows it are the biggest holidays of the year, and many families travel to their home towns and villages. A single, early-announced vacation lets parents book travel, lets schools plan the end of the first term, and spares families with children in both primary and secondary classes from juggling two different calendars. That is the main point of the circular's instruction to district officers: one schedule per district for all school levels.
The break also marks the boundary between the two halves of the school year. Most schools finish first-term (semester) assessments before Diwali, and the second term carries the bulk of the syllabus, preparation for annual exams and, for older students, board exam practice. A clear reopening date of November 26 lets teachers plan lessons and lets students know exactly when classes resume.
The separate date for teacher training institutes shows how national rules shape state calendars. Institutes that train future teachers must complete a minimum number of working days set by the NCTE, the national body that regulates teacher education. To meet that requirement, their first-year students return a week earlier than school pupils.
There is one point of caution. One report describes the circular as covering the 2025-26 academic year, while others do not, which may be a reporting error since the vacation dates are for November 2026. Parents should also check with their own school, because private schools, schools under other boards such as CBSE, and secondary schools may set their own exact dates within the state framework.
What families should do next: confirm the dates with your child's school, finish any pending first-term work before November 5, plan travel around the November 26 reopening, and keep an eye on the school's notice board or messaging group for any change.
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Circular issued | October 26, 2026 |
| Vacation begins | November 5, 2026 |
| Diwali | November 8, 2026 |
| Teacher training institutes resume | November 19, 2026 |
| Vacation ends | November 25, 2026 |
| Second term begins | November 26, 2026 |
Impact
Short-term: Lakhs of primary school students, their parents and teachers across Gujarat get a three-week break with dates fixed well in advance, making it easier to plan family travel and festival preparations.
Long-term: Aligning primary and secondary calendars district by district reduces confusion for families and makes it easier for the state to plan exams, training and school activities for the rest of the year.
Who is affected: Students and teachers of recognised primary schools in Gujarat, parents with children at different school levels, students of teacher training institutes, and district education offices that must notify the dates.
Key Takeaway
Gujarat's recognised primary schools will be on Diwali vacation from November 5 to 25, 2026, and the second term starts on November 26, under a circular dated October 26.
Questions and Answers
When is the Diwali vacation for Gujarat primary schools in 2026?
From November 5 to November 25, 2026, a break of 21 days, according to the Directorate of Primary Education's circular of October 26, 2026. Schools reopen for the second term on November 26.
Do secondary schools in Gujarat get the same Diwali holidays?
The circular follows the calendar of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board and asks district officers to keep primary and secondary schools on the same schedule. Secondary schools, however, follow instructions from their own authorities, so check with the school.
Why do teacher training institutes reopen on November 19?
First-year students at teacher training institutes must complete the minimum working days set by the National Council for Teacher Education, so their classes resume a week before school pupils return.
Does this apply to private and CBSE schools?
The circular covers recognised primary schools under the state's education system. Private schools and schools affiliated to other boards may set their own dates, so parents should confirm with the school.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Aditi Kulkarni, Education WriterCovers Education and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Aditi Kulkarni
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Aditi Kulkarni is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
