As chill grips northern India, it is time for the annual winter school holidays. While most of the schools will observe a holiday on Christmas Day, there is a shift in the winter holidays for many states in northern states. Delhi, for instance, will have its annual winter holidays not from Christmas but from January 1, 2026 onwards. In another marked change, Christmas holiday has been cancelled for all schools in Uttar Pradesh. Check out latest updates.
School Holidays begin in Punjab
To start off, winter school holidays have started in the northern state of Punjab. All schools in the state will have their winter break from December 22, 2025 onwards. The schools in the state will reopen from January 10, 2026.
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Delhi School Holidays
As for Delhi, only Christmas Day is a gazetted off for the schools in the city. December 25 will be observed as a holiday. Delhi government has also permitted December 24 or Christmas Eve as a restricted holiday – leaving the decision on the institutions to declare a holiday or not. Schools, however, will function from December 26 onwards and the winter break will commence only from January 1, 2026. Schools will reopen on January 15, 2026.
It may be noted that many schools in Delhi, especially primary schools, are operating in online/ hybrid mode due to the declaration of GRAP 4 measures. The increased AQI has forced many schools to go to hybrid mode. Moreover, all outdoor activities are strictly banned in the city schools, as per the order by hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
Haryana School Holidays
Haryana has not yet announced the winter holidays formally. As per the last update, the state – including cities falling within the NCR – Gurgaon and Faridabad, are scheduled to have their winter breaks from January 1, 2026 onwards. Winter breaks of 15 days is expected in Haryana.
Furthermore, Christmas will be a holiday in all schools in Haryana.
Uttar Pradesh School Holidays
Winter breaks are expected to commence after Christmas in the state of UP. Meanwhile, Christmas holiday has been cancelled in Uttar Pradesh, with a mandatory working for primary and upper primary on the day.
The decision was taken to commemorate former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birthday – which is also on December 25. As a conclusion to the centenary year celebrations – the Basic School Department has ordered all schools across the state to organize special commemorative programs. Student participation is mandatory.
Rajasthan Winter Holidays
Schools in Rajasthan will begin their winter break from Christmas Day. The schools in the state will remain closed for winter holidays from December 25, 2025, till January 5, 2026.
Other States
As for southern states, Kerala has announced an extended Christmas break for schools in the state (From December 24, 2025 – January 5, 2026). Schools in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are expected to observe a holiday on Christmas Day. Minority schools/ missionary schools in the states, however, are likely to have extended Christmas breaks. Goa schools also will only observe a holiday on Christmas Day. A special assembly will be observed in the schools across state on Christmas eve.