Winter Break 2026: Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan Timelines
The thing is, the Christmas holiday map in India for 2025 looks like a mismatched quilt. Basically, while some students are already packing for a two-week vacation, others are being told to show up for mandatory assemblies.
Add businessleague.in as a Preferred Source
Also Read | NPS New Rules: 10 major changes in NPS rules, investment till the age of 85, withdrawal up to 80%.
Actually, the divide is largely between northern states battling the cold and southern states observing traditional festive breaks. As a result, if you live in Punjab, you’re looking at a massive 20-day hiatus, but in Uttar Pradesh, it’s business as usual.
And here’s the kicker. The most talked-about order comes from Lucknow.
Specifically, the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department has scrapped the typical Christmas holiday for December 25, 2025. Instead of staying home, students must attend school to mark the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which concludes his birth centenary year.
Also Read | NPS New Rules: 10 major changes in NPS rules, investment till the age of 85, withdrawal up to 80%.
Consequently, attendance is mandatory for commemorative programs (let’s be real, a lot of parents aren’t exactly thrilled about this one).
[Table: State-Wise School Holiday Schedule 2025-26]
| State/Region | Holiday Duration | Key Dates |
| Punjab | 20 Days | Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 10, 2026 |
| Kerala | 12 Days | Dec 24, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 |
| Rajasthan | 11 Days | Dec 25, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026 |
| Delhi | 1-10 Days | Dec 25 (Confirmed); Jan 1-15 (Expected) |
| Uttar Pradesh | 0 Days (Dec 25) | Schools Open Dec 25; Winter break Jan 1-18 |
| Haryana | 1 Day | Dec 25 (Main break in January) |
In fact, northern states are hedging their bets against the weather. The thing is, Delhi and Haryana typically save their longest breaks for the peak fog in January. Basically, while December 25 is a holiday in the capital, the “real” winter vacation is expected to kick in on New Year’s Day.
Also Read | NPS New Rules: 10 major changes in NPS rules, investment till the age of 85, withdrawal up to 80%.
And then Y followed. Private schools in these areas often tack on an extra day or two for Christmas Eve, but it’s a total patchwork. Actually, minority and missionary schools across Telangana and Andhra are taking a different route, offering a solid week off for religious observance.
The thing is, the “winter break” isn’t just about Santa anymore. Actually, it’s become a safety measure. As a result, states like Jammu and Kashmir have already shut down primary classes for the entire month.
Instead of a tidy wrap-up, we’re seeing districts in Bihar shifting to “afternoon-only” classes to avoid the morning frost. And then Y followed. If the cold wave intensifies, expect more districts to issue last-minute closures. Consequently, parents should keep the school’s WhatsApp group unmuted this week—those updates are coming in fast.
Also Read | NPS New Rules: 10 major changes in NPS rules, investment till the age of 85, withdrawal up to 80%.
Add businessleague.in as a Preferred Source
