As per the Directorate’s letter, officials have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with these orders in the schools under their jurisdiction. (File Photo)
The Haryana Government Tuesday announced winter vacations from January 1 to January 15, 2026, for all government and recognised schools, from Class 1 to Class 12, across the state. According to the notification issued by the Directorate of School Education, students of Classes 10 and 12 may be called to school for practical examinations.
“The decision to declare winter vacations has been taken keeping in mind the health and safety of children due to the continuously increasing cold. This will prevent students from facing difficulties while commuting to school in severe cold conditions,” said an Education Department official.
Haryana Government offices will remain closed for 124 days, including 104 Saturdays and Sundays and 20 gazetted holidays. Out of these, eight gazetted holidays, including Diwali and Maha Shivratri, fall on Saturdays or Sundays. Government offices will remain open for 241 days during the year.
In addition, 13 restricted holidays have been declared, and government employees can avail themselves of 3 restricted holidays per year. Including these, 137 holidays have been scheduled.
For 2026, the Haryana Government also issued a list of public holidays applicable under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. These holidays will be observed in Haryana (excluding judicial courts) and will be considered under Section 25 of the Act.
According to the notification, in addition to all Sundays (52 days), public holidays will be observed on several national, religious, and historical occasions in 2026. However, some of these holidays fall on Saturdays or Sundays, for which no additional benefit will be given.
21 special days, but no holidays
Under the holiday calendar, the Haryana Government declared 21 occasions as “Special Days.” There will be no public holiday on these dates, and government offices will remain open as usual.
These days are associated with important social, historical, and notable personalities and will be observed only as special days, not as gazetted or public holidays.
The government has also clarified that even if some of these special days fall on Saturdays or Sundays, they will not be treated as public holidays, and no additional benefit will be provided.
All government offices and educational institutions across the state will have to follow these orders.
Curated by Dr. Elena Rodriguez
