In response to the ongoing heatwave, several states across India have announced early summer holidays for schools in 2025. These measures are aimed at safeguarding students’ health as temperatures continue to soar. Additionally, some states have altered school timings to reduce exposure to the extreme heat. Below are the latest updates on school closures and revised timings.
Early Summer Breaks Across India
Many states, including Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh, have declared summer vacations earlier than usual due to the health risks posed by the rising temperatures.
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Madhya Pradesh: The state’s School Education Department has confirmed that schools will be closed from May 1 to June 15 for students, while teachers will have holidays from May 1 to May 31. These holidays apply to both private and government schools.
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Chhattisgarh: The state has brought forward the summer break to begin on April 25, lasting until June 15. Originally scheduled to start on May 1, the vacation has been moved up to help mitigate the health impacts of the ongoing heatwave. However, teachers will continue with their regular duties during this period.
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Delhi: In Delhi, schools will remain closed from May 11 to June 30. Teachers are required to report back on June 28, marking a longer holiday for students compared to educators.
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Jharkhand: Schools in Jharkhand will close from May 22 to June 4, an extension of the originally planned break, which was due to end on June 2. This change comes in light of the intensifying heat conditions.
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Tamil Nadu: The summer break for Tamil Nadu students varies by grade. Students in classes 1 to 5 will be off from April 22 to June 1, while those in classes 6 to 9 will have holidays from April 25 to June 1. Class 10 students will have their break from April 15 to June 1.
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Himachal Pradesh: The summer break in Himachal Pradesh has been adjusted this year to span from July 12 to August 12, a 32-day period. Previous schedules saw longer breaks, but this year’s adjustment also includes a short break from June 1 to June 8.
Changes to School Timings in Various States
For schools that have not yet begun their summer holidays, the authorities have decided to shorten school hours to protect students from the extreme heat.
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Uttar Pradesh: In districts such as Lucknow, Agra, Pratapgarh, and Amethi, school timings have been adjusted. In Agra, classes 1 to 8 will be held from 7:00 am to 12:00 noon, while in Pratapgarh and Amethi, school hours will run from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. These schools have also suspended outdoor activities during the peak heat of the day.
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Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, districts such as Hanumangarh, Dausa, and Jhunjhunu have implemented adjusted school timings. Schools in Hanumangarh will run from 7:00 am to 12:30 pm, while Dausa will operate from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, and Jhunjhunu’s schools will run from 7:30 am to 11:00 am. These revised timings are effective from April 19 to May 16, 2025.
Additionally, changes have been made in several other districts of Rajasthan, including Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Didwana-Kuchaman, where school hours have been similarly adjusted to prevent prolonged exposure to the sun.
Punjab Declares Public Holiday on April 29
In a related development, the Punjab government has declared a public holiday on April 29, 2025, in observance of Lord Parshuram Jayanti. On this day, all government offices, as well as schools, colleges, and universities, will remain closed across the state.
Conclusion
As the heatwave intensifies across the country, states are taking necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of students. Early summer vacations and modified school schedules are just a few of the steps being implemented to combat the extreme temperatures. With more states expected to follow suit, students can look forward to extended breaks during the sweltering months of April, May, and June.
