Amid a severe spell of cold weather and rising air pollution, several states across North India have announced extended school closures ranging from 10 to 15 days. The decision has been taken to safeguard students’ health as dense fog, cold waves, and hazardous air quality continue to impact daily life.
From Delhi-NCR to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, winter vacations and temporary closures have either begun or are set to begin soon.
Delhi: Schools Closed for 10–15 Days
Delhi has been grappling with a double crisis of extreme cold and toxic air pollution, with AQI levels crossing 400, falling into the “severe” category. Primary schools have already been shut for several days, while senior classes were operating in hybrid mode.
According to the academic calendar:
- Winter vacations in Delhi schools will begin on December 23, 2025
- Holidays will continue till January 1, 2026
- Considering weekends, regular classes are expected to resume from January 5, 2026
This effectively means schools may remain closed for nearly 10 to 15 days, depending on weather conditions. Authorities have also indicated that holidays could be extended further if pollution and cold persist.
To ensure safety after reopening, the Delhi government has initiated the distribution of 10,000 air purifiers to schools located in highly polluted zones.
Delhi-NCR: Long Breaks Likely
In NCR regions such as Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gurugram, strict GRAP-IV restrictions remain in force due to air pollution.
- Nursery to Class 5 schools remain closed
- Senior classes are operating in hybrid mode
- Ghaziabad: Winter vacation announced from January 1 to January 15
- Noida: Winter break likely from December 31
- Faridabad and Gurugram: Official announcement awaited from Haryana government
Haryana: 15-Day Winter Vacation Expected
Haryana students may have to wait a little longer for formal confirmation, but winter vacations are expected from:
- January 1 to January 15, 2026
Meanwhile, all schools in the state will remain closed on:
- December 25 (Christmas)
- December 26 (Shaheed Udham Singh Jayanti)
- December 27 (Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti)
Uttar Pradesh: District-Wise Closures
Cold wave and dense fog have forced district administrations in UP to take preventive steps.
- Ghaziabad: Schools closed from January 1 to January 15
- Kanpur: All schools closed for two days due to weather
- Bareilly, Ambedkar Nagar, Sultanpur, Rampur, Amethi, Pilibhit, Gonda, Shahjahanpur: Physical classes closed from Nursery to Class 8
Bihar: Timings Changed, Partial Closures
In Bihar, the situation varies by district:
- Patna, Muzaffarpur, Araria, Banka, Madhubani: Schools operating with revised timings from 9:30 AM to 4 PM
- Chhapra, Gopalganj and other districts: Anganwadi centres and primary schools closed
District administrations have issued strict compliance instructions to both government and private schools.
Punjab: Schools Closed for 8 Days
The Punjab government has already announced winter vacations:
- Schools closed from December 24, 2025
- Reopening scheduled for January 1, 2026
- Due to weekends, full academic activities likely to resume from January 5, 2026
Madhya Pradesh: Winter Break Begins Soon
In Madhya Pradesh:
- School timings were recently revised in several districts
- Winter vacations likely from December 25
- PM Shri Schools: Closed from December 23, 2025 to January 1, 2026 (10 days)
Rajasthan: 12-Day Winter Vacation
Rajasthan government has officially announced:
- Schools closed from December 25, 2025 to January 5, 2026
- Total holiday period: 12 days
Tamil Nadu: 12-Day Winter Break
Even southern states are experiencing unusual cold conditions.
- Tamil Nadu schools will remain closed from December 24, 2025
- Schools will reopen on January 5, 2026
- This year’s winter vacation is longer compared to previous years
Conclusion
With extreme weather conditions impacting large parts of the country, state governments have prioritized student safety over academic schedules. Parents and students are advised to stay updated with official announcements from district administrations and education departments, as holidays may be extended further if conditions worsen.
Stay tuned to Sachcha Dost News for the latest updates on school closures, education news, and public advisories.
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