CBSE Holiday List 2025: Official CBSE School Calendar & Vacations

CBSE Holiday List 2025: Official CBSE School Calendar & Vacations

For students, holidays are not just days off, they’re essential pauses that help recharge the mind, plan ahead, prepare for exams, and spend time with family and tradition. The CBSE Holiday List 2025–26 covers national holidays, festival-specific holidays, and seasonal breaks. This article shares the official calendar, notes regional/religion/community-specific holidays, and gives tips on how to use holiday time well.

Where the Official Holiday List Comes From

The official CBSE academic calendar is published via CBSE’s academic portals, often as a PDF under the “Academic Plan / School Calendar / Holidays” section. These calendars include:

• National gazetted holidays
• Festival holidays recognized across India
• Recommended uniform holidays (but schools may adopt additional ones depending on state laws)
• Summer and winter vacation periods
• Examination schedules and working days for various assessment periods

For example, the CBSE “Academic Plan: 2025-2026 Holidays” document provides dates for many holidays and breaks. Schools also refer to state education department notifications for region-specific holidays. The CBSE academic resources guide can help you access these official lists.

Key Holiday Dates in the 2025–26 CBSE Calendar

Here are the major holidays (national, festival) and vacation blocks observed in CBSE schools across India for the academic year 2025-26. Some dates are common everywhere; others are state- or region-specific.

Major National / Festival Holidays

• April 10, 2025 (Thursday): Mahavir Jayanti
• April 14 (Monday): Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti
• April 18 (Friday): Good Friday
• May 12 (Monday): Buddha Purnima
• June 7 (Saturday): Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)
• June 27 (Friday): Ratha Yatra
• July 6 (Sunday): Muharram (date can vary by region)
• August 9 (Saturday): Raksha Bandhan
• August 15 (Friday): Independence Day
• August 27 (Wednesday): Ganesh Chaturthi
• September 5 (Friday): Milad-un-Nabi / Id-e-Milad
• October 1 (Wednesday): Maha Navami (part of Dussehra)
• October 2 (Thursday): Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
• October 20 (Monday): Diwali (Deepavali)
• November 5 (Wednesday): Guru Nanak’s Birthday
• December 25 (Thursday): Christmas Day

These are typically “gazetted” or “recommended” holidays applicable to most CBSE schools across India.

Summer Vacation / Seasonal Breaks

Summer vacation timing can vary by region (due to climate) but here are the commonly observed periods:

• Summer break usually begins late April and continues through May, sometimes into early June depending on state.
• Schools reopen after summer break around early to mid-June.
• Winter/Christmas holidays begin around December 24-25 and extend into early January in many places.

Regional, Religious, and Community-Specific Holidays

CBSE schools also observe holidays that are specific to states, religions, or communities. These may not be uniform nationwide:

• In Odisha, for example, Ratha Yatra is observed (June 27) with school holiday status.
• States with significant Muslim populations often observe Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid), Milad-un-Nabi, Muharram.
• Some states observe Onam (Kerala), Bihu (Assam), Pongal (Tamil Nadu), and other festivals tied to local cultures.
• Festivals like Durga Puja impact schools in West Bengal and nearby regions, often for multiple days.

Working Days, Parent-Teacher Meetings, Exams & Other Key Dates

Besides holidays, the calendar also includes working days, exam periods, Parent-Teacher meetings, half-day schedules, and other academic events which affect how holidays are slotted.

CBSE’s academic plans often show Summative Assessments (SA-I / SA-II), periodic tests (PTs), and half-day schedules around examinations or festivals. Parent-Teacher meetings sometimes precede or follow long breaks, enabling schools to align curriculum coverage with upcoming exams.

Why Some Holidays Differ by Region or School

Although CBSE sets a holiday calendar, schools have some flexibility based on their state, local authorities, and community needs. Differences arise because:

• States issue their own festival holidays depending on culture (e.g., Onam in Kerala, Bihu in Assam)
• Some circulars mark holidays as “restricted / optional” or “tentative” depending on moon sighting or regional observances (especially for religious festivals).
• Climate influences vacation timing as schools in hotter regions may begin summer breaks earlier or longer.

How to Use the Holiday Calendar Wisely for Exam Preparation

It’s not enough to know which days are off; planning around holidays can make a big difference in how prepared you are:

• Use longer breaks (summer / winter) to revise major portions of syllabus and practice sample / mock papers.
• During short festival breaks, avoid losing momentum so plan light but consistent study like reviewing quick notes or formula sheets.
• If holidays fall close to exams, set shorter daily revision goals instead of trying to catch up all at once.
• Schools often schedule assessments or syllabus “catch-up” classes around breaks. Be aware of those so you don’t return to surprises.

Resources and Tools to Stay Updated

Because some holiday dates are tentative or region-specific, always verify with reliable sources:

• Check the CBSE official “Academic Plan / School Calendar” page or Saras / CBSE portal
• Refer to your school’s notices as they should publish the holiday list as well.
• State education department circulars give region-specific holidays.
• Use online planners, calendar tools, or apps to mark holidays and exam dates. Platforms like AllRounder.ai offer helpful CBSE courses, games, and practice-tests which may provide reminders.

Links to AllRounder.ai Resources to Help You Through CBSE Holiday Schedule

• Explore CBSE board courses for structured learning during study periods.
• Use light study content (quizzes, games) to keep learning fun during break days.
• Review grade-wise learning via grade 8, grade 9, grade 10, etc., so you’re ready when school resumes.
• Attempt practice tests to keep test nerves and speed sharp.

Final Word: Holidays Are More Than Breaks

The holiday calendar for CBSE schools in 2025-26 offers a framework of rest, culture, and community. But holidays don’t have to be distractions from learning as they can be leveraged for rest, growth, review, and readiness. The 2025-26 list is full of national festivals, regional celebrations, and key vacation blocks. Knowing them ahead empowers students to plan smart, reduce stress before exams, and stay ahead.