
As winter vacations near their scheduled end, students and parents across Punjab are keenly awaiting clarity on whether schools will reopen or if the holidays will be extended further amid persistent cold weather.
Earlier, the Punjab government extended winter holidays for all schools until January 7, 2026, citing extreme cold conditions and dense fog across the state. The decision was taken in the interest of students’ safety and well-being.
No Fresh Announcement Yet
As of now, there is no official announcement on a further extension. School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has not issued any new order beyond the January 7 deadline. Authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions, and any decision on reopening or extending holidays is expected to depend on how the situation evolves over the next 24–48 hours.
On December 31, the minister had directed all government, aided, recognised, and private educational institutions to remain closed for seven days, up to January 7, due to severe cold.
What Other States Are Doing
Here’s a snapshot of winter holiday schedules across select states and cities:
Telangana: Till January 16, 2026
Ghaziabad (UP): Till January 10, 2026 (up to Class 8)
Lucknow (UP): Till January 8, 2026 (up to Class 8)
Assam: Till January 6, 2026
Delhi: January 1 to January 15, 2026
Haryana: January 1 to January 15, 2026
Jaipur (Rajasthan):
Up to Class 5: Till January 10
Classes 6–8: Till January 8
Tripura: January 6 to January 10, 2026
Jharkhand: Till January 8, 2026 (all classes)
Punjab Weather Outlook (January 6–12)
According to the India Meteorological Department, Punjab is likely to continue experiencing harsh winter conditions:
Jan 6–7: Dense to very dense fog at several places; cold wave and cold day conditions at isolated locations
Jan 8: Dense to very dense fog at isolated places
Jan 9–12: Dense fog likely at isolated places
What Parents and Students Should Know
With foggy mornings and cold wave conditions persisting, authorities may take a call at short notice. Parents and students are advised to watch for official updates from the state government or the School Education Department before heading back to classrooms.
This page will be updated as soon as there is an official announcement on whether Punjab schools will reopen or winter holidays will be extended further.