School Holiday News: Odisha Strike, Tamil Nadu Festival & Cold Wave Updates (Jan 28)

As India gets back to work after the Republic Day long weekend, there is fresh confusion regarding school and bank holidays for Wednesday, January 28, 2026. While most of the country is functioning normally today, specific regions are facing closures due to local festivals, cold wave extensions, and a state-wide bandh.

If you are unsure whether to send your child to school or visit the bank today, here is the complete breakdown of what is open and what is closed across India.

Key Updates: Is It a Holiday Today?

For the majority of India, January 28, 2026, is a regular working day. There is no national holiday. However, three specific situations are causing disruptions in select states:

1. Odisha: A state-wide Bandh (Strike) has been called by farmer organizations.
2. Tamil Nadu: A local holiday has been declared in the Thiruvarur district for a temple festival.
3. North India: Some schools in UP and Punjab are reopening today after severe cold wave breaks, while others remain closed.

1. Odisha Bandh: Impact on Schools & Transport

A 12-hour Odisha Bandh (6 AM to 6 PM) has been called today, January 28, by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS). The strike is in protest against issues related to paddy procurement.

• Schools & Colleges: While there is no blanket order from the state government to close all schools, many private schools have declared a holiday as a precaution. Parents are advised to check official school WhatsApp groups.
• Transport: Public transport, including Mo Bus services, may be affected due to road blockades.
• Exams: Check with your university or board if any scheduled exams are postponed.

2. Tamil Nadu: Local Holiday in Thiruvarur

The District Collector of Thiruvarur has officially declared a local holiday for schools and government offices today.

• Reason: The grand Kumbabishekam ceremony (consecration) at the historic Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple in Mannargudi.
• Who is closed? Schools and colleges in Mannargudi, Needamangalam, and Kottur taluks are confirmed closed.
• Compensation: To make up for this holiday, schools will likely function on a future Saturday (possibly Feb 7, 2026).

3. Telangana: Medaram Maha Jathara Begins

Today marks the beginning of the Medaram Maha Jathara, Asia’s largest tribal festival, in the Mulugu district.

• School Status: While parents have demanded holidays, schools remain OPEN across Telangana unless a specific local order was issued by your district collector last night.
• Traffic: Heavy traffic is expected on routes leading to Mulugu as millions of devotees travel for the festival.

4. Bank Holiday Status: Are Banks Open?

There is a lot of confusion about banks because of the Bank Unions’ Strike that happened yesterday (Jan 27).

• Status for Jan 28: Banks are OPEN today.
• Details: January 28 is a working Wednesday. It is not a gazetted holiday, and the strike action was primarily focused on Jan 27. You can visit your branch for cash deposits, KYC updates, and locker operations without worry.

5. Cold Wave Updates (UP, Punjab, Haryana)

• Uttar Pradesh: Most districts, including Lucknow and Noida, were scheduled to reopen schools today after the winter break extended till Jan 27. However, if the fog is severe, local DMs may have extended timings (e.g., schools starting at 10:00 AM).
• Punjab: Schools are generally reopening today after the extreme cold wave alert ended yesterday.

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