The Uttar Pradesh government has declared Monday, October 26, 2026 a public holiday across the state on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, according to a government order issued on Sunday, October 25 by the General Administration Department (Samanya Prashasan Anubhag) in Lucknow. Schools in Varanasi and across the state will remain closed on Monday, and regular classes are expected to resume on the next working day.

Source: Dalimss News (UP govt order)

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti had earlier been listed only as a restricted holiday for October 26, at serial number 24 in the restricted-holiday list attached to the government's notification of November 17, 2025 announcing the year's public holidays. The Sunday order says that, after due consideration at the government level, the state has now decided to declare it a public holiday instead. All other parts of the November 2025 notification remain unchanged, and a copy of the order has been sent to all departments, divisional commissioners and district magistrates for necessary action.

Source: Dalimss News (UP govt order)

Times Now, via Inshorts, also reported on Sunday that the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government had declared October 26 a public holiday for Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, with schools, colleges and government offices to remain closed on Monday while banks remain open. The order itself notes the holiday does not fall under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which is the provision under which bank holidays are notified. Maharishi Valmiki, regarded as the Adi Kavi or first poet of Sanskrit literature, is credited with composing the epic Ramayana.

Source: Times Now via Inshorts