People living in Delhi-NCR have been battling again a storm of cold and poisonous air. On January 18, 2026, the CAQM introduced GRAP Stage IV in the city, with instant effect across the National Capital Region (NCR). Although students were due to return to full day physical classes following the winter break, the surge in pollutants has forced officials to re-evaluate.
Closing Schools and Censoring Online Classes The Facts
Since Sunday evening, no "holidays" have yet been proclaimed for all, but major disruptions in education are scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026. You are not allowed to take class at the following locations:
- Classes Nursery to IX and XI: The Delhi government and NCR districts (Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram) are empowered under GRAP-4 guidelines to suspend classes. The vast majority of the schools will have to switch to online or hybrid mode to protect students from hazardous PM2.5 levels.
- Board Classes (X and XII): Students in board exam years are largely exempted from closure but that is usually necessary in order to not miss out on academic preparation. But those schools might get revised times (later in the day) to bypass the most severe morning smog.
- Official verification: Though the Directorate of Education (DoE) is yet to issue a blanket order for all private schools, numerous individual institutions have sent parents circulars confirming a shift to virtual instruction for Monday.
Why GRAP-4 is Back
The AQI in multiple hotspots, including Anand Vihar (480) and Noida (540), has crossed into the “Hazardous” zone. Meteorological experts blame this spike on low wind speeds and a “Western Disturbance” that has trapped pollutants close to the ground.
According to Stage IV, there are also the following emergency curbs:
- Vehicles Ban: non-essential heavy diesel trucks may not be brought into Delhi.
- Construction Halt: All public and private construction projects: public roads and flyovers are now halted.
- The government recommends that public and private agencies operate at 50% capacity - with any remaining work done from home.
Health Advisory for Parents
Children and the elderly should avoid any outdoor activities, health experts said. In case of commuting for senior students, it is very common for you to wear an N95 mask as standard surgical masks provide little protection for fine particulate matter present in the air.
