Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the closure of all schools up to Class 12 across the state till January 5, 2026, in view of the prevailing severe cold wave conditions. The order applies to government schools as well as institutions affiliated with ICSE, CBSE, UP Board and other boards.

The decision has been taken as temperatures continue to dip sharply across several districts, raising health concerns for students. Schools in Uttar Pradesh will remain shut till January 5, following the Chief Minister’s instructions.

School closures in other states

Apart from Uttar Pradesh, several other states have also announced winter vacations or school closures during January:

  • Delhi: January 1 to January 15, 2026

  • Punjab: December 22 to January 10, 2026

  • Haryana: January 1 to January 15, 2026

  • Odisha: December 23 to January 1, 2026

In Jammu and Kashmir, winter vacations differ by class:

  • Classes 1 to 8: December 1 to February 28

  • Classes 9 to 12: December 11 to February 22

Christmas holidays in southern states

As per the academic calendar:

  • Andhra Pradesh (missionary schools): December 23 to December 27

  • Telangana (missionary schools): December 23 to December 27, 2025

Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country will observe winter holidays from December 23 to January 1, 2026.

Public holidays in January 2026

Schools across several states will also remain closed on the following days in January:

  • January 1 (Thursday): New Year

  • January 14 (Wednesday): Pongal / Makar Sankranti

  • January 23 (Friday): Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti

  • January 26 (Monday): Republic Day

School holiday list 2026 (selected dates)

February

  • February 14: Saraswati Puja / Vasant Panchami

  • February 18: Maha Shivratri

March

  • March 4: Holika Dahan

  • March 5: Holi

April

  • April 2: Ram Navami

  • April 10: Good Friday

  • April 14: B R Ambedkar Jayanti

  • April 18: Easter

May

  • May 1: Labour Day / Maharashtra Day

  • May 25: Buddha Purnima

June

  • June 17: Bakri-Id / Eid al-Adha

July

  • July 17: Muharram

August

  • August 15: Independence Day

  • August 19: Raksha Bandhan

  • August 28: Janmashtami

September

  • September 5: Teachers’ Day

  • September 23: Onam

October

  • October 2: Gandhi Jayanti

  • October 19: Dussehra

  • October 24: Valmiki Jayanti

November

  • November 7: Diwali

  • November 8: Govardhan Puja

  • November 9: Bhai Dooj

  • November 24: Guru Nanak Jayanti

December

  • December 25: Christmas

Authorities have advised parents and students to keep track of local district-level advisories, as further extensions or changes may be announced depending on weather conditions.