Winter Vacations 2026: Schools are closed in these states till January 6

Winter Vacations: Check the complete list. (representative image/ file)

While some schools reopened on January 5, many across several Indian states and cities have been ordered shut as severe cold wave conditions continue to grip large parts of the country, disrupting academic schedules and prompting precautionary measures by state governments and district administrations.

In Jharkhand, schools in Ranchi and Jamshedpur will remain closed till January 6 due to intense cold conditions, officials said on Sunday. The decision to suspend classes from kindergarten to Class 12 was taken after the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ranchi, issued a special bulletin warning of severe cold and cold wave conditions in parts of the state. Ranchi has been placed under a yellow alert until further notice.

According to an official order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), academic activities in all government, non-government, and private schools in the two districts will remain suspended till January 6. However, schools have been given the discretion to conduct examinations scheduled during this period. The order also allows classes for Class 10 and Class 12 students to be held at the discretion of school authorities. Government schools in Jharkhand are already closed till January 5 for winter vacations and will reopen on January 6 for teachers, who are required to report for non-academic work and mark attendance on the eVV system.

In Uttar Pradesh, schools up to Class 8 have been ordered closed in several districts amid cold wave and dense fog conditions, with the closure extended till January 14 in many areas. District administrations in the National Capital Region, including Noida and Ghaziabad, have also announced temporary closures of schools as low visibility and plummeting temperatures pose safety risks for students.

Bihar has similarly witnessed suspension of academic activities in multiple districts as cold conditions intensify, particularly during early morning hours. Authorities have advised schools to follow local district orders and weather advisories before resuming classes.

In the northeastern region, the Assam government has announced the closure of all schools till January 6 due to the prevailing cold wave, affecting students across government and private institutions.

In Delhi, many schools are currently observing scheduled winter vacations, though authorities have indicated that extensions may be considered if cold and fog conditions persist. States such as Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir are also witnessing extended winter breaks or weather-related school closures.

Education departments have urged parents and students to regularly check official notifications issued by district administrations and school authorities, as reopening dates may vary depending on local weather conditions. Officials have reiterated that the temporary closures are precautionary measures aimed at ensuring student safety amid extreme winter conditions.