A thick blanket of smog has engulfed parts of Northern India, leading to school closures, a hybrid mode of education, and winter vacations. In places like Delhi-NCR, districts of Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Jammu and Kashmir, schools are closed for various reasons. Here is a list of states where schools are closed:
Owing to dense fog and extreme cold conditions, the Lucknow administration has revised school timings. As per the official directive, all schools from Class 1 to Class 12, across every education board, will now commence classes only after 9 am. The order applies to government-run basic and secondary schools, aided institutions, as well as schools affiliated with all boards in the district. Authorities have instructed school administrations to strictly follow the revised schedule until further notice.
Rampur
In Rampur district, similar measures have been introduced as cold wave conditions persist. The school schedule for Classes 1 to 8 has been revised, with an official order from the District Basic Education Officer directing all government-run, secondary, aided, and board-recognised institutions to operate between 10 am and 3 pm until further notice.
अत्यधिक शीत लहर के कारण जनपद के समस्त परिषदीय प्राथमिक, उच्च प्राथमिक/ मान्यता प्राप्त/ सहायता प्राप्त कक्षा (1-8) तक के विद्यालयों में दिनांक 18.12.2025 से 20.12.2025 तक अवकाश घोषित किया जाता है।
— DM Rampur (@RampurDm) December 17, 2025
Bareilly
The Bareilly district administration on Wednesday ordered the closure of all schools up to Class 8 for three days as a cold wave and dense fog continued to disrupt normal life in the region. Officials said that all government, aided and private schools for Classes 1 to 8 will remain shut from December 18 to December 20 in view of the prevailing weather conditions.
Basic Shiksha Adhikari Dr Vinita said the decision was taken on the directions of District Magistrate Avinash Singh. She cautioned that strict action would be initiated against any school found violating the order. However, she clarified that schools where examinations have already been scheduled may conduct them as per the pre-decided programme.
Noida, Ghaziabad hybrid schools
In Ghaziabad, schools have moved pre-nursery to Class 5 to online learning in response to severe fog and cold wave conditions, with the decision aimed at safeguarding students’ health. An official order stated, “Keeping in view the adverse impact on the health of students… classes shall be conducted as follows until further orders,” instructing school heads to ensure strict compliance. Meanwhile, Classes 6 to 9 will operate in a hybrid format, while Classes 10 and 12 will continue with their regular in-person schedules.
Jammu and Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir, schools across most areas have remained closed from December 13 to 19, 2025, due to severe winter conditions. The week-long shutdown applies to all institutions up to Class 8.
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Goa
Students in Goa have a holiday today, December 19, 2025, in honour of Goa Liberation Day. The occasion commemorates the end of Portuguese rule in the state in 1961. Schools across Goa typically remain closed to mark this significant local celebration.
Delhi NCR
The Delhi government directed schools to shift classes up to Class 5 to the online mode in response to adverse weather conditions. The Delhi High Court also advised advocates and parties-in-person to appear through videoconferencing before it and the district courts, citing the prevailing weather.
