Winter Vacation Schedule for Indian Schools in 2026
Overview of Winter Vacations in India
Winter vacations are highly anticipated in the Indian academic calendar. Due to varying climatic conditions across the nation, there is no standardized schedule for these breaks. Instead, each state's education department sets its own dates based on local weather, festivals, and administrative guidelines. Typically, winter breaks last between 10 to 20 days. Here’s a look at the expected winter vacation dates for schools across India in 2026.
Winter Vacation Dates in Northern States
Delhi: The winter vacation schedule in Delhi can vary yearly. The government has previously set holidays from December 23 to January 1, while private institutions may take a break from January 1 to January 15, subject to changes based on pollution and weather.
Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh, winter vacations usually commence in the third week of December, typically between December 20 and December 31. Occasionally, these breaks are extended until January 5 due to cold weather.
Haryana: The winter break in Haryana is scheduled from January 1 to January 15 for all government and private schools.
Punjab: Schools in Punjab generally close on December 22 and reopen on January 12, with possible extensions due to severe cold as directed by the Education Minister.
Himachal Pradesh: In this state, schools may close from December 24 to December 31, while higher-altitude areas might have breaks extending from December through February.
Jammu & Kashmir: This region has a unique winter vacation schedule, with schools for classes 1 to 8 closed from December 1 to February 28, and classes 9 to 12 from December 11 to February 22.
Winter Vacation Schedule in Western and Central India
Rajasthan: According to the Board of Secondary Education, winter vacations are set from December 25 to January 5.
Madhya Pradesh: Schools typically observe holidays from December 23 or 25 until December 31, reopening in early January.
Maharashtra and Gujarat: In these states, winter vacations are shorter, generally from December 25 to December 31, due to milder winter conditions.
Winter Breaks in Eastern and Southern India
Bihar and Jharkhand: Winter vacations last about a week, from December 25 to December 31, with possible extensions if the cold intensifies.
Odisha and West Bengal: In Odisha, the break runs from December 23 to January 1, while West Bengal has a shorter holiday from December 25 to around January 1.
Assam: Many schools in Assam close in December and reopen in the first week of January due to severe cold.
South India: In Kerala, Christmas holidays last from December 24 to January 4. Andhra Pradesh's winter holidays typically start in January, coinciding with the Sankranti festival. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana have minimal winter breaks.
Uniformity in Kendriya Vidyalayas and PM SHRI Schools
Schools under central systems, such as PM SHRI schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas, maintain a consistent winter break of 10 days from December 23 to January 1, a pattern expected to continue this year.
Guidance for Parents and Students
Winter vacation dates differ across states based on local weather. Parents and students should verify the specific holiday dates for their respective schools or educational boards. Private schools affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, or state boards set their own schedules within government guidelines, so staying informed about school calendars is essential.