In a significant update for the academic calendar, the Municipal School Board (MSB) in Surat has officially cancelled the New Year's Day holiday for its schools in 2026. The decision, detailed in a recent circular, aligns the board's schedule with the state government's official leave calendar for the year.
Key Changes to the Holiday Schedule
The annual holiday on January 1, which was a feature in previous years, has been removed from the list. MSB chairman Rajendra Kapadia clarified that the change was made because the state government has not declared January 1 as a holiday for 2026. In its place, the board has included a holiday for Rath Yatra on July 16. This adjustment is part of a total of 24 holidays announced for the upcoming academic year.
Dual Holiday Lists for Different Mediums
In a move to accommodate diverse student populations, the MSB has issued two separate leave lists. One list is specifically for Urdu-medium schools, while a common list applies to schools teaching in other languages, including Gujarati, English, Hindi, Marathi, Odia, and Telugu. These lists comprise both mandatory and optional holidays, with most following the government gazette and a few added for regional requirements.
"A separate leave list has been prepared for Urdu-medium schools to ensure students get holidays for festivals relevant to them," stated Chairman Rajendra Kapadia, highlighting the board's inclusive approach.
Total Days Off for Students
When combining the announced holidays with regular vacations, municipal school students in Surat will have a total of 80 days off during the 2026 academic year. Senior MSB officials have confirmed that the entire leave schedule is fully synchronized with the calendar issued by the Gujarat state government, ensuring uniformity across the education system.
