Parents woke up to the same question in several parts of India this morning: is school open today? The answer, on Thursday, October 29, depends entirely on where you live. There is no nationwide school holiday. Heavy rain linked to Cyclone Arnab has shut schools in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand, while Karwa Chauth has brought a holiday for schools in Himachal Pradesh and for government schools in Delhi.
- Cyclone Arnab shuts schools in 12 districts
- Andhra Pradesh: two districts closed
- Odisha: six districts, schools, colleges and Anganwadis shut
- Jharkhand: four districts closed for two days
- Karwa Chauth holiday in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi
- Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan: check before you assume
- What parents should do this morning
- FAQs
If your district is not on a closure list, do not assume a holiday. Karwa Chauth is only a restricted holiday in several states, and the safest check remains your school notice or district update.
Cyclone Arnab shuts schools in 12 districts
Cyclone Arnab crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28, bringing very strong winds and the threat of heavy rain to nearby districts. District administrations ordered closures as a precaution against rain, strong winds and waterlogging on school routes.
Together, the reported closures cover 12 districts across three states. Collectors can still extend a closure if the weather worsens, so watch for a fresh notice.
Andhra Pradesh: two districts closed
In Andhra Pradesh, schools in Anakapalli and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts have been reported closed on October 29. In Anakapalli, the holiday was announced for three days, from October 27 to October 29.
Several other districts had closure announcements for October 27 and 28, including Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, East Godavari, Krishna and Vizianagaram. Those earlier orders should not be read as confirmation for October 29 unless the district issues an extension or a fresh notice.
Odisha: six districts, schools, colleges and Anganwadis shut
Odisha has reported the closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in cyclone-affected areas for October 28 and 29. The six districts named in the reports are Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur.
Collectors elsewhere in Odisha can order closures based on local weather, so a school outside the six districts could still close if travel turns unsafe.
Jharkhand: four districts closed for two days
Jharkhand has ordered school closures in Ranchi, West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum and Simdega because of rainfall linked to Cyclone Arnab. Schools there have been ordered to remain closed on October 28 and 29.
In Ranchi, the closure covers government, government-aided and private schools, from Kindergarten to Class 12. Families have been asked to follow district administration updates for reopening dates.
Karwa Chauth holiday in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi
Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29. The festival is observed mainly in northern and western India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, by married women who fast and pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands.
Himachal Pradesh has declared October 29 a public holiday across the state for Karwa Chauth. According to an order from the General Administration Department, the holiday applies to government offices, boards, corporations, schools, colleges and universities. Banks are expected to work as usual.
In Delhi, government schools have been reported closed for Karwa Chauth on October 29. Private schools may follow different academic calendars, so parents should check their school notice before assuming classes are suspended.
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan: check before you assume
In Uttar Pradesh, reports say female teachers in some basic education schools have been granted leave for Karwa Chauth. A general holiday for students has not been confirmed, so parents should check whether their child’s school has announced a closure or made alternative arrangements.
In Punjab, Karwa Chauth appears in the holiday calendar as a restricted holiday. That listing does not necessarily mean all government and private schools will remain closed. In Rajasthan, Karwa Chauth is listed as a restricted holiday in the Rajasthan High Court calendar for 2026, but that does not establish a statewide school holiday either. No statewide closure for October 29 has been confirmed in Tamil Nadu.
What parents should do this morning
- Check your school message or notice first. A district order from October 27 or 28 may have been extended overnight.
- In cyclone-affected districts, check the district collector update even if your school was not on yesterday’s list.
- Do not rely on a forwarded message alone. Confirm the closure with the school or the district administration.
- If school is open but the route is waterlogged or unsafe, contact the school directly before sending a child out.
Today is a patchwork, not a national holiday. A quick check of the local notice will settle it faster than any general list.
FAQs
Is there a nationwide school holiday on October 29, 2026?
No. No nationwide school holiday has been announced. Closures are limited to specific cyclone-affected districts and to Karwa Chauth arrangements that vary by state and school.
Which districts are closed because of Cyclone Arnab?
Anakapalli and Alluri Sitarama Raju in Andhra Pradesh, six districts in Odisha, and four districts in Jharkhand. Check your collector’s latest order.
Are schools closed in Delhi today?
Government schools in Delhi have been reported closed for Karwa Chauth. Private schools may follow their own calendars, so parents should confirm with their child’s school.
Are schools closed in Himachal Pradesh today?
Yes. The state-wide public holiday covers schools, colleges and universities. Banks are expected to work as usual.
Is there a school holiday in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab or Rajasthan for Karwa Chauth?
Not as a confirmed statewide closure. Check your school notice.
