Delhi schools reopen as GRAP Stage III measures end; check details here

The Directorate of Education (DoE) has announced the resumption of normal physical classes across all Delhi schools with immediate effect. The decision follows the Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) order, which revoked actions under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to an improvement in air quality indicators over the past three days.

Hybrid guidelines issued earlier now withdrawn

In its latest circular, the DoE stated that the guidelines issued on 11 November, 2025 directing schools to shift to a hybrid mode for classes up to Class 5 have now been withdrawn. The earlier instructions were issued when pollution levels in the city had entered the ‘severe’ category, prompting precautionary measures across educational institutions.

All schools to operate fully offline

The DoE circular clarified that all Government, Government-aided, unaided recognised private schools and institutions under the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Cantonment Board are required to conduct all classes in the physical mode without delay. Heads of schools have been asked to disseminate the information promptly to students, staff members and parents to ensure a smooth transition back to regular timetables.

Stage III GRAP restrictions revoked

This move follows the CAQM’s review of the city’s pollution levels. The restrictions under Stage III of the GRAP, which included measures for educational institutions, were lifted on Wednesday after the AQI showed consistent improvement. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an AQI of 377 at 4 pm on Thursday, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category. Although still high, the level marks an improvement from the ‘severe’ range that had persisted earlier this month, PTI reports.

AQI levels over the past 13 days

Delhi has experienced poor to very poor air quality for the past 13 days. Under the classification system used by the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 to 500 ‘severe’. The CAQMt stated that the revocation of Stage III restrictions was made after assessing overall trends and forecasts, which indicated no imminent shift back to severe levels, PTI reports.

Schools in the capital are now expected to return to full on-campus operations. Administrations have been instructed to ensure compliance with the updated directions and to communicate the revised arrangements to their respective communities.

Check DOE's official circular here.

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