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DHAKA: Educational institutions across Bangladesh are set to get extended holidays for the Hindu community’s biggest religious festival, Durga Puja, with students potentially enjoying up to 10 consecutive days off depending on the type of institution.
The holiday period will combine official holidays with regular weekly breaks. However, schedules may vary from one institution to another.
The government has also extended the Durga Puja holiday for public-sector employees. With an additional holiday declared by executive order on October 22, government employees will get a total of five days off for the festival.
According to the Ministry of Public Administration’s holiday calendar, October 20 (Tuesday), Maha Navami, and October 21 (Wednesday), Bijoya Dashami, were already designated public holidays. The government has additionally declared October 22 (Thursday) a holiday by executive order, creating a five-day break when combined with the weekly holidays.
For government and private secondary and lower-secondary schools, the 2026 holiday calendar sets five days of vacation from October 18 to October 22 for Durga Puja. With the weekly holidays before and after the break, students may get additional days off.
October 25 (Sunday), which marks Lakshmi Puja, is also designated as a holiday. As a result, students could potentially enjoy a 10-day break from October 16 to October 25, although the final schedule depends on decisions by the Ministry of Education and the relevant directorates.
The College-4 branch of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has separately announced a 10-day holiday for colleges from October 18 to October 29. The two Fridays and Saturdays falling within the period are not included in the 10-day calculation. The break covers Durga Puja, Bijoya Dashami, Prabarana Purnima and Lakshmi Puja.
When the weekly holidays immediately before and after the college vacation are included—October 16-17 and October 30-31—the break could extend to 16 days.
Meanwhile, teachers and students at government and private, MPO-listed and Ebtedayee madrasas will get three days off from October 20 to October 22, according to the holiday calendar of the Directorate of Madrasa Education.
Universities, however, will follow different schedules. Government holiday calendars do not automatically apply to all universities because they are autonomous institutions that determine their holidays based on their own academic calendars and decisions by the relevant authorities.
As a result, universities may announce different Durga Puja holiday periods. Some may follow the government holiday schedule, while others may add holidays before or after it. Class, examination, administrative and residential-hall schedules may also vary. The exact duration of the holiday at each university will therefore be confirmed through individual notices or academic calendars.
Seven-day break for some government employees: Hindu government employees can potentially enjoy a seven-day break by combining optional holidays with the official Durga Puja holidays and weekly weekends.
October 18 (Sunday), Maha Saptami, and October 19 (Monday), Maha Ashtami, are optional holidays for Hindu government employees. By taking these optional holidays, they can have a continuous break from October 18 to October 24, combining them with the October 20-22 public holidays and the Friday-Saturday weekend on October 23-24.
Banks and financial institutions: Banks and financial institutions generally remain closed on public holidays during Durga Puja. However, some branches or specific banking services may remain operational as directed by Bangladesh Bank.
Digital services such as ATMs, cards and online banking are generally expected to remain available.
Emergency services to remain operational: Employees involved in essential and emergency services may still be required to work during the public holidays to ensure uninterrupted services.
These include hospital and healthcare workers, police, firefighters, electricity, gas and water supply workers, media personnel and employees of other essential services.
