The National Capital Region’s schools will see more restrictions on school sports over the winter months as well, with a new advisory issued to protect children from the health hazards linked to bad air pollution and asthma.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to ensure that physical sports competitions are not held in schools across the NCR during November and December 2026. Outdoor physical activity during periods of poor air quality could introduce children to unhealthy air pollution levels, according to the advisory.
The fresh directive was issued on September 10, 2026, and addressed to the chief secretaries of the four NCR states. The commission has also reiterated an earlier directive issued in November 2025, which is still applicable for the current year, according to the report.
The decision comes at a time when the Supreme Court has expressed concerns over children playing school sports competitions when air quality in Delhi-NCR gets hazardous during winter, when it comes to pollution levels.
Why November and December are a Concern?
Air pollution in Delhi and the surrounding NCR areas typically worsens during the winter months due to weather conditions, vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, crop-residue burning, and other pollution sources.
When children are working on outdoor sports, more physical exertion is likely to mean faster breathing and more lung oxygen output. Exposure to pollution could be more prevalent when air quality is poor and respiratory and other health effects are associated.
Based on the Supreme Court’s November 19, 2025 order, CAQM had told schools in the NCR to postpone sports and games in November and December. The measure was introduced as a precautionary action to reduce children’s exposure to polluted outdoor air during the period when air quality often deteriorates sharply.
The earlier directive followed discussions with the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, state governments, Delhi government, Sports Authority of India, and regional pollution control authorities.
Fresh Advisory for NCR States
The CAQM has asked the concerned governments to take immediate steps to ensure that physical sports activities and competitions are not scheduled in NCR schools during November and December.
The advisory also considers local air quality trends. That means the pollution situation in the areas where sporting events are planned and children’s outdoor exposure in the winter months need to be taken into account by the authorities and schools.
Sports competitions that have already been scheduled can be rescheduled to a more suitable period.
Importantly, the advisory also advises against any academic or competitive disadvantage to students if they suffer such a postponement. Students not able to participate due to the limitations should not be penalised for circumstances beyond their control.
Other Activities Could Be Explored
The CAQM also asked state governments to find alternate ways for students to take part in sports and related activities at the appropriate time.
The overall aim is to balance children’s physical activity, education and health. Schools may therefore have to recalibrate their annual sports calendars and plan outdoor competitions outside of the two months as much as possible.
The directive highlights the ever-increasing importance of air-quality management in school planning in Delhi-NCR. Sports and physical exercise are at the heart of children’s education and development, and schools are trying to ensure that these activities do not take place in environments that could be hazardous to them and to their health.
The latest advisory is particularly relevant as the winter pollution season approaches. Schools, education departments and sports organisers in the NCR will need to review their schedules and make necessary amendments so as to comply with the directions.
As parents and students, the development means that school-level physical sports competitions planned for November and December 2026 may have to be postponed or shifted, depending on the implementation of the advisory and prevailing air-quality conditions.
