Puducherry Declares October 3 as Public Holiday: Schools, Colleges, and Government Offices to Remain Closed

In a fresh announcement, the Union Territory of Puducherry has declared October 3, 2025, as a public holiday, extending the ongoing pooja holidays. This decision affects government offices, public sector undertakings (PSUs), schools, and colleges across the territory. The notification, issued by the office of Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan, emphasizes that all establishments—including professional colleges—will remain closed for the day. To compensate for the holiday, a working day has been scheduled on October 25, 2025, ensuring that administrative and academic schedules remain balanced.

Holiday Announcement: What Was Declared

The official release came from the Under Secretary to the Puducherry government (Home), M.V. Hiran, who confirmed the extension of the puja holidays. The Lieutenant Governor’s order states that October 3 will be observed as a public holiday across all four regions of Puducherry—Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam.

This announcement means:

• Schools (both government and private) will remain closed.
• Colleges, including professional and technical institutions, will not conduct classes.
• Government offices and PSUs will also remain shut for the day.

The decision comes as part of the region’s observance of puja festivities, which hold cultural and traditional significance for communities across the Union Territory.

Compensatory Working Day on October 25

While October 3 has been declared a public holiday, the administration has made provisions to ensure that essential work and academic sessions do not fall behind. To balance this closure, October 25, 2025, has been declared a compensatory working day.

This directive applies to:

• Government offices
• Public Sector Undertakings
• Schools and colleges, including professional institutions

By designating October 25 as a working day, the administration ensures that public services and academic calendars remain on track without long-term disruption.

Why the Holiday Extension Matters

The extension of pooja holidays is more than just a calendar adjustment. It reflects the administration’s recognition of the cultural and religious importance of the festival season in Puducherry.

Pooja holidays, particularly during the Navratri and Vijayadashami period, are celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm. Families come together for rituals, schools and colleges often host cultural events, and communities engage in festive activities. Declaring October 3 as a public holiday allows people across the Union Territory more time to observe these traditions without the pressure of academic or professional obligations.

Impact on Educational Institutions

For students and teachers, this announcement has both immediate and long-term effects:

1. One-day Break for Students and Staff
   • Schools and colleges, including professional institutions like engineering and medical colleges, will remain closed, giving students and faculty a short respite.
2. Adjustment in Academic Calendar
   • With October 25 declared as a compensatory working day, institutions will likely use that day to cover pending lessons, internal exams, or academic events that might otherwise have been delayed.
3. Professional Institutions Affected
   • The order specifically mentions professional colleges, underlining that even higher education and technical institutions will strictly observe the closure.

Impact on Government Offices and PSUs

The decision also impacts the functioning of government offices and PSUs across Puducherry:

• Temporary Pause in Administrative Work
  • Routine government services and office work will be suspended on October 3.
• Backlog Management on October 25
  • By declaring October 25 as a working day, the administration ensures that essential services are not disrupted for too long and citizens can expect continuity in services.

This arrangement provides a balance between respecting cultural traditions and ensuring the smooth functioning of governance and administration.

Regional Coverage: Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam

The holiday applies uniformly across all four regions of the Union Territory:

• Puducherry (Capital Region): Schools, colleges, offices, and PSUs remain closed.
• Karaikal: Similar directives apply to educational institutions and government departments.
• Mahe: Despite being geographically distant and culturally distinct, the same holiday rules apply.
• Yanam: All institutions will follow the holiday and compensatory day framework.

This uniformity reflects the administrative coherence across the Union Territory and ensures no region is left out of the puja holiday extension.

Public Response and Community Significance

While official statements remain procedural, the move has been welcomed by citizens, particularly students and working professionals, who see it as an opportunity to participate more actively in puja festivities.

For families, the additional holiday provides:

• Extra time to celebrate rituals and traditions.
• A chance to spend time with loved ones during the festive season.
• Flexibility in travel plans, especially for those commuting between regions during the holidays.

Conclusion

The declaration of October 3 as a public holiday in Puducherry is a significant step that underscores the cultural value of puja festivities in the region. By extending the holidays to schools, colleges, government offices, and PSUs, the administration has allowed citizens to fully immerse themselves in celebrations. At the same time, the compensatory working day on October 25 demonstrates a pragmatic balance between tradition and responsibility.