Schools across Indian states have released winter vacation schedules for the 2025–26 academic year, carefully planned to accommodate regional weather conditions, Christmas and New Year celebrations, and student safety during peak winter months. The break durations vary widely across states, reflecting differences in climate from the freezing Himalayan regions to rain-prone southern districts, allowing parents and educators to plan academic and extracurricular activities accordingly.
Northern States: Extended Winter Breaks
Delhi and Haryana: The Directorate of Education in Delhi has announced winter vacation for government and private schools from January 1 to January 15, 2026, considering the capital’s foggy and cold winters while maintaining academic continuity. Haryana’s schools follow the same schedule, ensuring uniformity across the National Capital Region.
Uttar Pradesh: Schools in Uttar Pradesh will have a 12-day break from December 20–31, 2025, allowing northern districts to cope with early winter chills while ensuring classes resume immediately after New Year for minimal disruption.
Punjab: Punjab’s School Education Department has scheduled a 20-day winter break from December 22, 2025, to January 10, 2026, with classes restarting January 11. This extended break provides families time for festive gatherings and respite from harsh winter conditions.
Himachal Pradesh: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24–25, are observed as school holidays. Winter breaks start around December 23–24, with the duration varying across altitude-affected districts.
Jammu & Kashmir: The region enforces strict winter closures due to heavy snowfall and fog. Schools close from December 8-14, with full shutdowns for pre-primary to Class 8 until March 2026. Classes 9-12 will resume from February 23, 2026, highlighting the impact of extreme winter weather on academic scheduling.
Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Odisha
Madhya Pradesh: Schools begin winter and Christmas vacations on December 23, 2025, usually until December 31, with some extending into early January for comprehensive holiday coverage across government, private, and central schools.
Odisha: Elementary, secondary, and Kendriya Vidyalaya schools start winter breaks on December 23, 2025, spanning Christmas Day to December 31, reopening on January 1, 2026, balancing festive celebrations with climate considerations.
Central School Boards: PM Shri and Kendriya Vidyalaya
Across India, schools under central boards, including PM Shri and Kendriya Vidyalaya institutions, observe a uniform 10-day winter break from December 23, 2025, to January 1, 2026, ensuring consistency for students who transfer between states or districts.
Southern States: Long Holidays in Kerala
In southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, rain-affected districts schedule school closures from December 12–14, 2025, with the possibility of extensions based on ongoing weather monitoring. Kerala schools will close for Christmas vacation on December 24 and reopen on January 5, 2026.
With these diverse schedules, schools across India are balancing student safety, festive celebrations, and academic continuity, reflecting the country’s varied climatic conditions and regional needs.
