Heatwave forces extended summer school holidays 2026 across Delhi, UP, Haryana and NCR regions; check state-wise summer vacation schedule

Summer school holidays 2026: Several states have announced extended summer holidays for schools following repeated warnings from the India Meteorological Department that heatwave conditions are expected to intensify between mid-May and June. Authorities have cited rising health risks for children as a key reason for the decision. Temperatures across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Telangana have already crossed 45 degrees Celsius in several areas, leading officials to either close schools early or revise daily timings for students.

The decisions apply to CBSE, ICSE, as well as both government and private schools across affected regions. Health advisories have also been issued, urging children and senior citizens to remain indoors during peak afternoon hours and stay hydrated. In several districts, schools have shifted to early morning schedules to reduce exposure to extreme temperatures, as severe heatwave conditions continue to persist across North and Central India, with authorities closely monitoring the situation.

State-wise summer vacation scheduleWest Bengal has already closed schools in several districts, excluding Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Punjab is following phased closures depending on weather conditions. Odisha advanced holidays from April 27 after approval from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Chhattisgarh schools closed from April 20 to June 15, while Andhra Pradesh enforced holidays from April 24 to June 11 and warned private schools against conducting classes during the vacation period.

Several districts in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Noida and Ghaziabad introduced morning classes running between 7 am and noon. Rajasthan and parts of NCR also adopted revised schedules to avoid afternoon heat exposure for students.

Why children struggle returning to school
Children often face difficulty returning to school after long summer holidays because their routines change significantly during vacations. Many begin sleeping late, waking later in the morning and spending more time on leisure activities, travel and unrestricted play.

The return to school also brings back homework, examinations, classroom discipline and fixed schedules. Some children experience stress related to academic expectations after spending several weeks away from studies. Disrupted sleep patterns can make early school mornings difficult during the initial weeks after reopening.

Summer holidays also create emotional attachment to leisure activities and family outings. Returning to structured school routines after extended breaks can therefore become challenging for many students across different age groups.

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