School Holidays Declared: Is Your State on the List for Cold Wave Closures?

If you've been waking up to bone-chilling mornings wondering whether your child's school will stay open, you're not alone. This winter has hit differently, and state governments across India are taking no chances with our kids' safety. Schools are closing left and right; some extending winter breaks, others shutting down at short notice. So, let us address the question on every parent's mind: Is my state on the list? 

Look outside. That thick fog you can barely see through? Those mornings when even adults don't want to step out? Imagine sending your 6-year-old into that. Temperatures have dropped 6 to 7 degrees below normal in many places. Add dense fog cutting visibility to almost nothing, and in cities like Delhi, "severe" air quality; we've got real reasons for concern. 

The weather department's been issuing cold wave alerts, and for once, states are putting children's health before attendance records and exam schedules. 

Extended until January 7, 2026 (reopening January 8). Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced this extension due to persistent cold and fog affecting all government, aided, and private schools statewide. 

Winter vacation from January 1-15, 2026. The capital's severe air quality and foggy conditions warrant this extended break, with possible further extensions if pollution worsens. 

January 1-15, 2026. School timings were already revised to 9:30 AM-3:30 PM before the break, coordinating with Delhi for NCR consistency. 

December 20-January 2, 2026 (statewide). However, Gautam Buddha Nagar extended closures until January 1 for all schools from nursery to Class 12 across CBSE, ICSE, IB, and UP Board affiliations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized zero tolerance for negligence regarding children's safety during cold waves. 

December 25-30, 2025. Patna's schools up to Class 8 remain closed till December 30, while higher classes operate 10 AM-3:30 PM. Extensions are possible if conditions persist. 

Closed until December 31, 2025. Ranchi district suspended KG-Class 12 following yellow alerts for severe cold waves. 

Kamrup Metropolitan district (including Guwahati) closed December 31, 2025-January 6, 2026, resuming January 7. Daytime temperatures plummeted 6.4 degrees below normal, prompting this week-long closure. Bodoland Territorial Council schools closed January 1-3, 2026. 

Extended breaks due to extreme conditions: 

December 23-31, 2025, with some schools extending into early January. 

December 25, 2025-early January 2026 (12-day break). 

December 23-31, 2025, reopening January 1 or 2, 2026. 

December 24, 2025-January 4, 2026 (reopening January 5). While not facing cold waves, Kerala accommodates festive travel. 

December 25, 2025-January 1, 2026. Extensions unlikely due to earlier extended Durga Puja breaks. 

Christmas holidays (minority schools): December 21-28, 2025; Sankranti holidays: January 10-18, 2026. 

Extended Break (December 23, 2025-January 11, 2026) applies to cold-affected regions: Agra, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Delhi, Gurugram, Jammu, Lucknow, Patna, Varanasi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Silchar, and Tinsukia. 

Standard Break (December 23, 2025-January 1, 2026) covers: Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal. 

PM Shri Schools nationwide observe December 23, 2025-January 1, 2026. 

Schools will reopen when it's safe. Some districts might open while others stay closed; it depends on local conditions. Schools will make up for lost time through weekend classes, longer days, or adjusted exam portions. We've seen this in the 2018 and 2023 winters. Schools know how to handle it. 

These closures are inconvenient. Arranging childcare, managing work, and keeping kids engaged; it's a lot. But it's the right call. So, keep checking for updates, stay in touch with your school, and ask questions if unclear about reopening dates. Weather changes quickly, and so can decisions. Stay warm, stay safe.