Story by Bahari Duniya | Written by Ranjan Sharma
An intense cold wave gripping vast regions of the country has led to widespread changes in school schedules, as state governments and local administrations move to protect students from harsh weather conditions.
Falling temperatures and persistent fog have prompted the closure of schools, extension of winter breaks, and adjustments to class timings in several areas. Authorities have also advised parents to closely follow local updates as precautionary steps continue to evolve.
DELHI
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has announced the academic calendar for the 2025–26 session, outlining key dates for schools across the national capital. As per the schedule, winter holidays will be observed from January 1 to January 15, 2026.
HARYANA
The Directorate of School Education has officially announced the winter vacation schedule for government and private schools. According to the notification, schools will remain closed from January 1 to January 15, 2025, and regular classes will resume on January 16.
UTTAR PRADESH – GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR
In view of the intense cold wave and persistent dense fog, authorities have directed that all schools up to Class 8 remain closed until January 10. The order covers institutions affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, IB, the Uttar Pradesh Board, and other recognised boards, as confirmed by District Basic Education Officer Rahul Panwar.
GHAZIABAD
Amid the prevailing cold wave, the district administration has ordered the closure of all schools up to Class 8 until January 10 as a precautionary measure.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Considering the harsh winter conditions in the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, and parts of the Jammu region, the government has announced an extended winter vacation. As per the revised schedule, schools up to Class 8 will reopen on March 1, 2026, while classes above Class 8 will resume on February 22, 2026, due to prevailing sub-zero temperatures.
PUNJAB
Acting on the directions of Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann, the government has ordered the closure of all government, aided, recognised, and private schools until January 13, 2026. In view of worsening cold and dense fog across the state, classes will resume from January 14 to ensure student safety.
VARANASI
Owing to continued cold weather and dense fog, authorities have ordered the closure of schools up to Class 8 from January 7 to January 9. The suspension applies to all government, aided, private recognised, as well as CBSE and ICSE schools, as confirmed by District Basic Education Officer Anurag Shrivastava.
LUCKNOW
The district administration has declared holidays for all schools up to Class 8 until January 8, 2026. The directive covers government-aided and private schools, along with Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs).
JAIPUR AND JALORE (RAJASTHAN)
In view of prevailing weather conditions, schools in Jaipur will remain closed for students up to Class 5 until January 10, while Classes 6 to 8 will resume on January 9. Meanwhile, in Jalore, holidays have been announced for students from pre-primary to Class 5 in all government and recognised private schools until January 10, 2026.
TELANGANA
The School Education Department has announced an extension of Sankranti holidays across the state after Kanuma was declared an optional holiday. As a result, schools will now reopen on January 17, 2026, with the break continuing until January 16.
TRIPURA
Due to extreme cold weather, the state government has directed that all government, aided, and private schools remain closed from January 6 to January 10 as a precautionary measure.
JHARKHAND
The government has announced statewide school holidays until January 8, 2026. As per the order, all government, aided, unaided including minority institutions and private schools will remain closed from January 6 to January 8, impacting students from Nursery to Class 12.