Special Correspondent
Panaji
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has notified the academic calendar for the 2026-27 academic year for schools in Goa, detailing term schedules, vacations, working days and examination timelines.
As per the order, the first term for classes VI to X and Class XII will commence on April 1, 2026, and conclude on October 10, 2026. The second term for these classes will begin on October 12, 2026, and end on March 24, 2027. Schools for classes I to V and Class XI will reopen on June 6, 2026, with the term structure, vacations and breaks remaining the same as those prescribed for classes VI to X and Class XII.
The first summative or first-term examination is to be conducted so as to conclude by October 10, 2026, while the second summative or second terminal examination will be held preferably by March 13, 2027. The order specifies that final annual examination results shall not be declared before March 31, 2027.
It further states that the total number of working days, including examination days, shall not be less than 220, with a minimum of 200 instructional days during the academic year. School instructional hours shall not be less than five hours and 30 minutes per day, exclusive of recess. Schools have been directed to adjust their timings accordingly without altering the total number of periods.
The Ganesh Chaturthi break will be from September 14 to September 19, 2026. The Diwali vacation has been scheduled from November 2 to November 21, 2026, while the Christmas vacation will be from December 24, 2026, to January 2, 2027. The summer vacation will be from May 1 to June 5, 2027. The order also authorises heads of schools to declare 10 discretionary holidays.
