With the winter chill intensifying across Northern India, education departments have announced official winter breaks for schools. While some states have opted for a uniform statewide break, others like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are implementing district-wise closures based on local weather conditions and visibility.
1. Delhi: Official Break in January
The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has confirmed that the primary winter vacation for all government and private schools will take place in the first half of January.
- Official Vacation Dates: January 1 to January 15, 2026.
- Current Status: Many schools have already shifted to online or hybrid modes for students up to Class 9 due to severe air pollution (GRAP-IV) and dropping temperatures.
2. Uttar Pradesh: 12-Day Official Break
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a standard winter break for most board-affiliated schools, though District Magistrates (DMs) have been given the authority to extend holidays if the cold wave persists.
- Statewide Vacation: December 20 to December 31, 2025.
- District Alerts: In districts like Farrukhabad, Mainpuri, and Bareilly, schools for Classes 1–8 have been ordered to remain closed until December 30 or January 1 due to dense fog.
Note: The UP government has reportedly canceled the holiday for December 25 in government schools to observe "Good Governance Day."
3. Punjab: Extended 20-Day Vacation
Punjab has announced one of the longest winter breaks in the region to protect students from the harsh "Chilla-i-Kalan" period of extreme cold.
- Vacation Dates: December 22, 2025, to January 10, 2026.
- Reopening Date: Schools are scheduled to reopen on January 11, 2026.
- Revised Timings: Post-reopening, schools are expected to operate on a delayed schedule (e.g., 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM) until the end of February.
4. Bihar: District-Wise Closures
Bihar does not follow a single statewide winter vacation calendar. Instead, DMs in various districts have issued orders based on local temperatures.
- Patna: Schools for Classes 1–8 are closed until December 26 or 27, with timings for higher classes restricted between 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
- Bhagalpur: All educational activities up to Class 8 have been suspended until December 31, 2025.
Expected Statewide Break: Many schools are expected to observe a general holiday from December 25 to January 5, 2026.
5. Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVs) and PM Shri Schools
For students in KVs and PM Shri schools, a uniform 10-day break has been implemented:
- Holiday Duration: December 23, 2025, to January 1, 2026.
- Reopening: Schools will resume regular classes on January 2, 2026.
Important Note for Parents: Holiday dates are subject to change based on the India Meteorological Department (IMD) alerts. Parents are advised to stay in touch with school administrations via official WhatsApp groups or portals for sudden extensions due to fog or cold waves.
