Chennai: An error in the academic calendar for 2025-26 circulated by the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has led to confusion among schools and parents regarding the dates for the Pongal festival holidays.

The department had emailed the official calendar to all government schools on June 13. According to the document, January 14, 2026, is marked as a holiday for Pongal.

However, this date actually coincides with Bhogi, the day preceding Pongal.

Astrologer Paranitharan of Thirukovilur pointed out that as per the Tamil calendar, Pongal falls on the first day of the Tamil month Thai, which will be on January 15 next year. Thiruvalluvar Day and Uzhavar Thirunal follow on January 16 and 17 respectively.

“The School Education Department has announced holidays without verifying the traditional calendar. Bhogi always falls on the last day of Margazhi, and Pongal is the next day. This oversight has caused unnecessary confusion,” Paranitharan said.

Teachers and parents have urged the department to rectify the error and issue a revised calendar to avoid disruption of academic schedules and family plans during the harvest festival.

Officials from the School Education Department are yet to respond to the demand for correction.