The School Education Department of Telangana has officially announced an extension of the Sankranti (Pongal) holidays for all educational institutions across the state. The festive break, which was initially scheduled to end on January 15, 2026, will now continue until January 16, 2026.
Revised Holiday Schedule and Official Order
According to the official proceedings released by Dr E Naveen Nicolas, IAS, the Director of School Education, Telangana, the original holiday calendar had marked the Pongal festivities from January 10 to January 15, 2026. The change comes after the General Administration Department (GAD) declared January 16, 2026 as an optional holiday for Kanuma.
In an order issued on January 5, 2026, the department decided to extend the vacation period to include this date. Consequently, all schools under all managements shall reopen on January 17, 2026.
Reason Behind the Holiday Extension
The decision to prolong the holidays was made because January 16 follows immediately after the Pongal festival. The extension aims to provide students, families, and staff with a continuous break to fully celebrate the important harvest festival.
This move aligns with the officially notified Academic Calendar for 2025–26 and the list of General and Optional Holidays for 2026 issued by the respective government departments.
Instructions for Officials and the Public
The department has directed all District Educational Officers and Regional Joint Directors of School Education to implement the order and ensure compliance across their jurisdictions.
Parents, students, and school administrations are strongly advised to take note of this updated schedule. They should plan the academic and travel schedules accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.
Important Note: For the most current updates and official communications, stakeholders are recommended to regularly check the notifications released directly by the School Education Department of Telangana.
