Telangana's 13-Day Dasara Break 2026: SA-1 Exam Dates, Holiday Calendar and What Parents Should Know

Students searching for దసరా holiday dates in Telangana finally have clarity. The Telangana Education Department has announced a 13-day Dasara break from 10 October to 22 October 2026 for classes 1 to 10, immediately after the Summative Assessment-1 (SA-1) exams. The announcement, reported by Telugu news outlets on 16–18 September 2026, explains the surge in searches for the festival term across India.

SA-1 Exams Come First: 1–9 October 2026

Before the festivities begin, students must clear their half-yearly assessments. According to Samayam Telugu, SA-1 exams for classes 1–10 run from 1 October to 9 October 2026, with different time slots per class. Classes 1–5 write exams from 9:30 am to 12 noon, classes 6 and 8 from 9:15 am to 12 noon, class 7 from 1:15 pm to 4 pm, class 9 from 1:15 pm to 4:15 pm, and class 10 from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm. The Education Department has advised students to confirm the subject-wise timetable through their own schools.

The Dasara Holiday Window: 10–22 October

The break begins on Saturday, 10 October and ends on Thursday, 22 October, with schools reopening on Friday, 23 October 2026. Key festival dates inside the window include Bathukamma beginning 11 October, Saddula Bathukamma on 19 October, and Vijayadashami on 20 October — meaning the holidays align neatly with Telangana's biggest celebrations.

Why It Counts as 13 Days

As Asianet News Telugu explains, the actual Dasara vacation is 10 days; the total reaches 13 calendar days because 10 October is the second Saturday, and 11 and 18 October are Sundays. October 2026 overall is unusually light on working days — roughly 16 holidays out of 31, including Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October (a Friday) and Sundays on 4 and 25 October.

Quick Reference

Date	Event
1 – 9 Oct 2026	SA-1 exams, classes 1–10
2 Oct 2026	Gandhi Jayanti (public holiday)
10 – 22 Oct 2026	Dasara holidays (13 calendar days)
20 Oct 2026	Vijayadashami
23 Oct 2026	Schools reopen

What Parents and Students Should Keep in Mind

The schedule applies to government and most private schools in Telangana following state directives; some private institutions may set slightly different dates, so confirm with your school. Students in other states should check their own education department notifications, as Dasara vacation lengths vary. With many families travelling to hometowns, booking train and bus tickets early is advisable. Note that this information reflects the September 2026 announcement — any later revision by the Education Department would supersede these dates.