The Ministry of Education on Sunday published the holiday list and academic calendar for government and non-government secondary and junior secondary schools for the 2026 academic year, showing a reduction in the number of holidays.

According to the calendar, educational institutions will remain closed for 64 days in 2026, which is 12 days fewer than the previous year. In 2025, the total number of holidays was 76.

The notification, signed by Sabina Yasmin, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, was issued on Sunday.

The gazette states that schools will remain open for nearly half of the holy month of Ramadan in 2026. Major holidays include 19 days off from March 8 to March 26 on the occasions of the holy month of Ramadan, Sri Sri Harichand Thakur’s advent, Shab-e-Qadr, Jumatul Bida, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence and National Day.

Institutions will observe 12 days of closure from May 24 to June 4 for Eid-ul-Azha and summer vacation, five days from October 18 to 22 for Durga Puja, and 10 days from December 20 to 29 for winter vacation and Christmas.

According to the schedule, half-yearly or pre-test examinations will be held between June 26 and July 10, with results to be published on July 29. Test examinations will take place from October 29 to November 10, with results on November 18. Annual examinations are scheduled to conclude between November 19 and December 6, with results to be published on December 30.

The Junior Scholarship Examination will be held from December 15 to 20, and results will also be published on December 30.

The academic year will run from January 1 to December 31, the notification added.