Delhi School Holiday November 16: Government Declares Public Holiday for Chhath Puja; Check Details

Delhi School Holiday November 16: Students and parents in Delhi can now plan their upcoming week smoothly as the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has officialy declared November 16 as a public holiday on account of Chhath Puja. Falling on a Monday, this gazetted holiday means educational institutions across the capital city will remain closed, offering a welcome long weekend for school students, teachers, and aspirants preparing for upcoming competitive exams.

The official notification was issued by Pradeep Tayal, Joint Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD), under file number 53/876/GAD/CN/2026/6376-6418 following the formal approval from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The decision has been circulated to all administrative offices, ministries, and municipal authorities to ensure complete compliance across all educational and government setups.

Are Private Schools closed in Delhi on November 16?

While the circular explicitly dictates holiday rules for government schools, autonomous bodies, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), most private recognized schools in Delhi are also expected to observe the holiday to mark Pratihar Shashthi/Surya Shashthi rituals. Chhath Puja holds immense cultural importance for a large section of residents hailing from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh who reside in the national capital.

For aspirants preparing for national-level entrance exams like JEE, NEET, or UPSC, this break provides extra time to fast-track their revision schedules. However, students should cross-check with their respective school administrations or check the official Directorate of Education (DoE) portal for specific circulars regarding physical classroom suspensions or online backup sessions. With festive preparations in full swing and multi-day rituals taking place at various designated ghats across the city, academic activities will resume standard operations on the following Tuesday.

Keep visiting CollegeDekho for the latest Education News on entrance exams, board exams and admissions. You can also write to us at our email ID [email protected].