School Winter Vacation 2026: From Delhi and UP to Rajasthan and Punjab—when will schools have their winter break?

In the Indian school calendar, winter vacations are among the most anticipated holidays. Because weather patterns vary across the country, there is no single, unified schedule for these breaks.

School Winter Vacation 2026: Winter vacations are among the most awaited breaks in the Indian school calendar. Since weather conditions differ significantly across the country, there is no national schedule for these holidays; instead, each state's education department determines its own dates. These decisions are often based on local factors, festivals, and administrative regulations. Most schools typically provide a winter break lasting between 10 and 20 days. Let’s take a look at when schools across India might observe their winter vacations this year.

Winter Vacation Status in North Indian States

Delhi: In the national capital, the pattern for winter vacations tends to change from year to year. The government has previously announced holidays from December 23 to January 1, while some reports suggest that private schools may observe a break from January 1 to January 15. These dates are subject to change, depending on pollution levels and weather conditions.

Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh, winter vacations generally begin in the third week of December—typically between December 20 and December 31. However, due to cold wave conditions, these holidays have occasionally been extended until January 5.

Haryana: The academic calendar in Haryana differs slightly from that of other states. The Directorate of School Education here has announced winter vacations for all government and private schools from January 1 to January 15.

Punjab: In Punjab, winter vacations tend to be longer compared to other states. Typically, schools close on December 22 and reopen on January 12. However, due to severe cold, the holidays have often been extended following directives from the Education Minister.

Himachal Pradesh: In Himachal Pradesh, as in other states, there is no uniform schedule. In many areas, schools remain closed from December 24 to December 31, while in higher-altitude, colder regions, the winter break lasts from December through February.

Jammu & Kashmir: Due to extreme cold, Jammu & Kashmir follows a unique and much longer winter vacation schedule. Schools for classes 1 to 8 remain closed from December 1 to February 28, while for classes 9 to 12, they remain closed from December 11 to February 22.

West and Central India

Rajasthan: According to the calendar issued by the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, winter vacations in the state are scheduled from December 25 to January 5.

Madhya Pradesh: In Madhya Pradesh, too, the holidays fall around the same time—typically from December 23 or 25 through December 31—with schools reopening in the first few days of January.

Maharashtra and Gujarat: Winter vacations in Maharashtra and Gujarat are relatively short. In Maharashtra, schools generally remain closed from December 25 to December 31. The shorter duration of these holidays in both states is due to the milder winter conditions.

Schedule for Eastern and Southern Indian States

Bihar and Jharkhand: In both Bihar and Jharkhand, winter vacations typically last for about a week, running from December 25 to December 31. However, the district administration may extend these holidays if the cold intensifies. Odisha and West Bengal: In Odisha, the winter vacation runs from December 23 to January 1. In West Bengal, there is a shorter winter break—from December 25 to around January 1—because long holidays are already granted during the Durga Puja festival.

Assam: Due to the impact of severe cold, schools in many parts of Assam, including Guwahati, have longer winter breaks. Schools typically close in December and reopen during the first week of January.

South India: In Kerala, Christmas-related holidays last from December 24 to January 4. In Andhra Pradesh, winter holidays generally begin in January, coinciding with the Sankranti festival. Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, there are very few winter holidays at the end of the year.

Kendriya Vidyalayas and PM SHRI Schools

Schools operating under a central system exhibit greater uniformity. PM SHRI schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas observe a 10-day winter break from December 23 to January 1, and this pattern is expected to continue this year as well.

Instructions for Parents and Students

Winter holidays vary across different states in the country, depending on local weather conditions. Parents and students are advised to check the specific winter holiday dates relevant to their own school or educational board. Private schools affiliated with boards such as the CBSE, ICSE, or state boards determine their own holiday schedules within the framework of government guidelines. Therefore, students should stay updated on their respective school schedules and board-related information.