Maharashtra Holiday: Is There A Holiday For Schools & Banks On Jan 29 Over Ajit Pawar's Death?

Updated: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 12:32 [IST]

In a shocking tragedy, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar passed away on Wednesday morning after his chartered aircraft crashed near the Baramati airport.

The private jet, flying from Mumbai to Baramati, crash-landed at approximately 8:45 am at the threshold of the Baramati airport runway. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the accident, noting the airport has a "table top runway". The plane crashed at the runway's edge during its landing attempt.

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar died after his chartered aircraft crashed near Baramati airport on Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board. The DGCA is investigating the cause, and there is no official holiday announced for schools or offices as of January 29.

Maharashtra Holiday Is There A Holiday For Schools amp amp Banks On Jan 29 Over Ajit Pawar s Death

Tragically, all five individuals on board lost their lives. Alongside Ajit Pawar, the victims include his two accompanying personnel, a personal security officer, an attendant, and the two crew members piloting the aircraft.

The Deputy CM was en route to his hometown, Baramati, to attend a public rally for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. Just a day before the accident, he was in Mumbai for a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Authorities have stated that the precise cause of the crash is still under investigation. Aviation authorities and local officials are examining the circumstances that led to this fatal accident.

Is There A Holiday For Schools On January 29?

Following the tragic news, rumours circulated on social media about a possible holiday for schools and offices on January 29. However, the Maharashtra government has declared holiday for all the government offices in the state and announced three-day state mourning. 

The message from the Chief Secretary Read: "As per the instructions of the government of Maharashtra, I am directed to request you to take necessary action accordingly and ensure that the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout the state of Maharashtra from 28.01.2026 to 30.01.2026 (both days inclusive) on all buildings where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment during this period."

The state has been plunged into mourning following the sudden demise of one of its most prominent political leaders.