Sacramento/IBNS, Oct. 8 -- The Indian-American Hindu groups have thanked California Governor Gavin Newsom for signing a bill into a law marking Diwali as a state holiday, media reports said.

The AB 268 law will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

The bill adds Diwali to the list of holidays that are excluded from being judicial holidays (i.e. special designation) in the Code of Civil Procedure.

It also enables public schools and educational institutions to include exercises acknowledging and celebrating Diwali's meaning and importance.

The bill was signed by Newsom, who is known for his progressive policies, on October 6.

Newsom is known for landmark decisions like same-sex marriage, marijuana legalisation, gun safety, universal hea...