You’ll find that a lot of schools have been forced to close for an extended summer. If you want the full picture of what’s happening state by state, you should also be aware of some new morning hours in certain districts; it’s all in an effort to keep students safe when the mercury hits 45.
The IMD has put out orange and yellow alerts for most of the country between May 18 and 24. That’s Jammu and Ladakh down to Andhra Pradesh, with everything in between.
Immediate changes for students and staff
To get kids out of the way of the afternoon sun, some are starting their day a bit earlier. In Noida and Ghaziabad, for instance, you won’t see any school past noon.
We’ve had word from the top to have the elderly and those who are more at risk stay in. Schools are being told to see to it there is enough water and air, and to scale back on anything outside.
Delhi-NCR snapshot: closures and timings
Delhi was quick to act. Their break is set to run from May 11 until July 1, 2026, which is about 51 days off. There’s another hot spell in the offing for the 19th to the 22nd.
In Uttar Pradesh, the books are closed for 27 days come May 20, though some private ones have already let the kids go as of the 15th. The same 7 to 12 rule is in place for the border areas.
Haryana hasn’t made a final call, but count on a 30-day shutdown from June 1 to 30, 2026, unless the weather gets worse and they move up the date.
Beyond NCR: key state windows and adjustments
Rajasthan is on a 35-day hiatus from mid-May. In parts of the state, they’ve put in morning-only sessions.
Bihar’s window is a bit shorter at 20 days. Over in Telangana, they called an early halt for 48 days.
Andhra Pradesh is doing the same, while Chhattisgarh has been without classes since April 20. Odisha got the green light to start holidays on the 27th.
West Bengal has closed up in most of its districts, with the exception of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Jharkhand and Maharashtra have made the switch to early risers to miss the worst of the heat.
Who is covered and where
It doesn’t matter if you’re in a CBSE, ICSE or a government school; the new times are in effect. I hear Punjab is mulling over a staggered approach.
Morning shifts and safety advisories
It’s been a change of pace. You’ll see a lot more focus on indoor work and making sure everyone is well-hydrated.
Around here in Delhi, it’s about a short, sharp morning and then home before it gets too hot.
What parents should do now
Things can be different from one district to the next, so don’t be surprised by a few changes as the IMD puts out its numbers.
Use these quick actions to stay prepared and minimise disruption:
– Check your school’s daily notices
– Note IMD alerts for May 18 to May 24
– Plan commutes for early mornings
– Keep children hydrated and indoors midday
What comes next
If it stays this hot, officials may have to re-think when to open back up. Best to check in with your school for the latest.
Bottom line: we want to keep the education going but not at the cost of the heat. We’ll be watching and will make a move if we have to.
