Widespread confusion surrounding school openings on Monday, November 2, 2026, has prompted authorities and educational bodies across India to clarify operational schedules. While the arrival of the festival season brings long holidays in parts of western India, educational routines continue uninterrupted in the northern plains. Concurrently, severe meteorological developments over the Bay of Bengal have forced precautionary closures across southern coastal regions.
Maharashtra Begins Extended 13-Day Festive Holiday
Schoolchildren across Maharashtra have commenced their midterm festive break today. The State School Education Department has formally scheduled a 13-day Diwali midterm vacation running from November 2 through November 14, 2026.
Because the conclusion of this designated period on November 15 coincides with both Sunday and Chhath Puja, primary and secondary educational institutions across the state will resume regular instruction only on November 16. This provides students with an uninterrupted fortnight to celebrate the festivities and recharge away from academic pressures.
Regular Classes Across Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana
In northern territories including Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, as well as broader regions of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, schools are operating on their normal schedule today. The academic calendar across these jurisdictions lists November 2 as an ordinary working day with no gazetted holiday.
For these northern states, the major festival vacation period is slated to begin around Dhanteras on November 6. The standard festive holiday window will span from November 6 through November 11, encompassing Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj across most regional school systems.
Cyclone Murasu Triggers Emergency Closures in Southern Coastlines
Beyond seasonal celebrations, severe weather prompted emergency administrative measures in southern coastal territories. The meteorological department issued high alert notices as Cyclonic Storm Murasu intensified over the Bay of Bengal. This weather event follows previous school disruptions linked to Cyclone Arnab.
Acting on warnings of torrential rainfall and strong gales, district administrators in Tamil Nadu ordered the closure of all schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur for the day. These safety directives were issued by district collectors S. Malathi Helen and S. Kavitha.
Tracking data locates Cyclone Murasu approximately 300 kilometres east of Chennai, progressing at a speed of 23 km/h. Projections suggest the system will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by November 3 before making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coastline near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur. Precautionary localized closures are also taking effect across vulnerable Andhra Pradesh coastal districts, notably Nellore, Prakasam, and Bapatla.
Key Advisories for Parents and Students
In light of varying regional situations, families are advised to note several practical recommendations
- Verify Information: Disregard unverified claims and speculative social media posts regarding unscheduled breaks. Depend exclusively on official circulars released by local school administrations or state education departments.
- Track Weather Bulletins: Residents along vulnerable coastal stretches of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu should continuously monitor advisories from disaster management agencies and the India Meteorological Department.
- Monitor Transit Schedules: Individuals planning festival travel toward southern destinations should verify flight and rail operations beforehand to account for storm-related rescheduling.
