February is considered a very important month for students. Board examinations begin in many parts of the country during this month. Students in schools and colleges are completely engrossed in their studies and exam preparations at this time. Therefore, the holidays in February are not just for relaxation, but also an opportunity to strengthen their studies. However, there are some days in this month when schools and colleges remain closed due to national and cultural festivals. Therefore, it is important for students and parents to know which days schools and colleges will be closed in February 2026 and where the holidays will be observed.
Several religious and historical occasions fall in February 2026. Public holidays are declared in different states on these occasions. However, holidays depend on the decisions of the state governments and local administrations, so a holiday is not guaranteed in every state. In addition, students also get their regular Saturday and Sunday holidays. For students appearing for board exams, there are also some days when there are no exams, giving them time to prepare.
February 1st: Sant Ravidas Jayanti
February begins with Sant Ravidas Jayanti. Sant Ravidas Jayanti will be celebrated on February 1, 2026. This day is considered particularly important in several states of North India. Holidays are observed in states like Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh on this day. However, this time Sant Ravidas Jayanti falls on a Sunday. Sunday is already a holiday for schools and colleges, so students will not get an additional holiday.
Following this, the festival of Mahashivratri falls in the middle of February. Mahashivratri is a major festival of Hinduism, celebrated with devotion and faith throughout the country. Special prayers and rituals are performed in Shiva temples on this day. In many states, schools, colleges, and government offices remain closed on Mahashivratri. In February 2026, Mahashivratri is on February 15th. Importantly, this day also falls on a Sunday. Therefore, in most places, it will be the regular weekly holiday for schools, but in some states, the academic atmosphere might be slightly relaxed due to pre-scheduled holidays. Holidays on these dates too
Another special festival in February is Losar. This festival is celebrated primarily in Sikkim and some other hilly regions. Losar is celebrated as the Tibetan New Year and holds great significance for the people there. Losar falls on February 18, 2026. Schools, colleges, and government institutions in Sikkim may remain closed on this day. However, normal work continues in the rest of the country.
Another important day in February is February 19, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti is celebrated. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti is celebrated on a large scale in Maharashtra. It is a public holiday throughout the state. Schools, colleges, and government offices in Maharashtra remain closed. This day is special for school students, as cultural programs and ceremonies are organized in many places. Outside of Maharashtra, there is usually no holiday on this day, but some educational institutions may declare a holiday at their discretion. In addition to these festivals, there will also be regular Saturday and Sunday holidays in February.
