School Holidays in August 2026: 12 Days Off Including Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan and Eid-e-Milad
Digital desk
Independence Day — August 15 (Saturday)
India's 80th Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year. Schools nationwide will mark the occasion with flag hoisting ceremonies before the day rolls into the weekend, effectively extending the break for most students.
Eid-e-Milad / Milad-un-Nabi — August 25-26
Marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, this holiday's exact date varies slightly by state and moon-sighting, falling around August 25 or 26 depending on regional notification. Schools in states with significant Muslim populations typically observe this as a full holiday.
Onam — August 26
A major harvest festival celebrated predominantly in Kerala, marked by the Pookalam flower arrangements, Vallam Kali snake boat races and the traditional Onam Sadya feast. Schools across Kerala remain closed, often as part of a longer multi-day Onam vacation.
Raksha Bandhan — August 28 (Friday)
Falling on a Friday this year, Raksha Bandhan creates a natural three-day weekend for most schools, running straight through to Sunday without requiring any extra leave.
Regional and restricted holidays
A few other observances fall within the month depending on location — Friendship Day is a school holiday in Karnataka, Parsi New Year is observed as a restricted holiday in Maharashtra and Gujarat, and Nag Panchami falls on August 17 as a restricted holiday in several states. Restricted holidays are typically optional, chosen by individual employees or, in some school systems, adjusted at the institution's discretion rather than being mandatory closures.
Why the total varies by state
Because several of these — Eid-e-Milad's exact date, Onam, restricted holidays — depend on regional practice, lunar calendar variations or state-specific notifications, the total holiday count for August can differ from one state to another even though the core national holidays (Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan) stay fixed everywhere.
What parents and students should do
Given the mix of fixed national holidays and state-specific observances, checking your child's school or state education department's official calendar remains the most reliable way to confirm exact dates — especially for Eid-e-Milad, where the specific day can shift based on official moon-sighting announcements closer to the date.
