The Tamil Nadu government has declared November 9, 2026, a public holiday across the state to allow people returning from Diwali celebrations to travel back to their places of work and study. The holiday will apply to government offices, public-sector institutions and educational establishments, according to a report by Dinamalar citing an official government order.
Diwali will be observed on Sunday, November 8, this year. The preceding Saturday is also a weekend day and a holiday, creating a two-day break for many residents. The additional Monday holiday is intended to give people more time to return from their hometowns after celebrating the festival with their families.
The announcement follows requests from various sections of the public for a holiday on the day after Diwali. The government has accepted the request and issued the order declaring November 9 a holiday throughout Tamil Nadu.
The decision covers state government offices, public-sector undertakings and educational institutions. The announcement is particularly relevant to residents who travel from cities to their native places during Diwali and need to return after the festival. The government’s order provides an additional non-working day within the holiday period, while also setting out how the lost working day will be compensated.
As per the reported order, November 28, 2026, will function as a working day to make up for the holiday granted on November 9. The working-day adjustment will apply in accordance with the government’s decision covering the institutions named in the order.
Festival holidays in Tamil Nadu often involve large-scale movement between urban centres and smaller towns and villages. In this case, the holiday announcement changes the official working calendar for government institutions and educational establishments across the state. It also provides residents with a confirmed date for planning their return journeys after Diwali.
The announcement does not state any changes to private-sector working schedules. The reported government order specifically covers state government offices, public-sector institutions and educational establishments. November 28 will be the designated compensatory working day under the order.
