Odisha Shifts Panchayati Raj Dibas to April 24; Schools to Remain Open on March 5

Bhubaneswar: In a recent development, the Odisha government has decided to shift the observance of Panchayati Raj Dibas from March 5 to April 24, aligning with the national practice. As a result, all government and government-aided schools in Odisha will remain open on March 5, 2025, according to a circular issued by the School & Mass Education (S&ME) department on Tuesday.

Previously, March 5 was a public holiday in Odisha, dedicated to celebrating Panchayati Raj Dibas to honor the birth anniversary of the state’s iconic leader, Biju Patnaik. However, in a move to standardize the observance with the rest of the country, the Odisha government has decided to shift the celebration to April 24.

Nationally, Panchayati Raj Dibas is observed on April 24, which marks the anniversary of the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. This landmark legislation institutionalized the Panchayati Raj system in India, empowering local governments and decentralizing administrative power to rural areas.

The S&ME department has communicated this change to all District Education Officers (DEOs) across the state, ensuring that educational institutions will continue their regular operations on March 5.