As India continues to experience an intense and prolonged heatwave, several state governments have taken precautionary measures to protect students from extreme weather conditions. These steps include early school closures, advancement of summer vacations, and revised school timings to avoid peak heat hours. The rising temperatures across many regions have raised serious concerns about student safety and health.
One of the major announcements has come from Odisha, where the government declared an early start to summer vacations beginning April 27. Typically, schools in the state close for summer in May, but due to the unusually high temperatures this year, authorities decided to act sooner. This move is aimed at minimizing students’ exposure to the harsh daytime heat.
In Uttarakhand, the district administration in Dehradun announced a one-day closure for all schools, including Classes 1 to 12 and Anganwadi centres, as a precautionary measure against extreme weather conditions. Officials indicated that further decisions may depend on how the situation evolves.
Similarly, Chhattisgarh has already implemented its summer vacation schedule, which runs from April 20 to June 15. West Bengal has also begun summer holidays from April 22, although the Darjeeling district has been exempted due to relatively milder weather conditions in the region.
In addition to closures, several states have opted to modify school timings instead of shutting down completely. This approach allows academic activities to continue while ensuring that students avoid the most intense heat periods. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, schools are now operating from 7:30 am to 12 pm. Jharkhand has shifted timings to 7 am to 11:30 am, while schools in Patna (Bihar) are functioning only until 11:30 am. Maharashtra has implemented timings from 7 am to 11:15 am, and Rajasthan has adjusted schedules to 7:30 am to 12 pm.
In the Delhi-NCR region, there is growing anticipation among parents and students regarding the possibility of early summer vacations. However, according to the official academic calendar issued by the Directorate of Education, summer holidays in Delhi are scheduled to begin from May 11 and continue until June 30, 2026. In nearby areas such as Noida and Ghaziabad, schools typically follow a similar schedule, with vacations starting in mid-May.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that multiple regions across the country are currently experiencing heatwave conditions. Initially, April 24 was identified as the first heatwave day of the season, but later assessments confirmed that it was actually the third consecutive day of such conditions. The classification was based on temperature readings across the Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi region, where several stations recorded extreme heat levels.
Despite the ongoing heatwave, there is some hope for relief in the coming days. The IMD has predicted a slight drop in temperatures starting next week, with the possibility of light rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds in some areas. These weather changes are expected to bring temperatures down to around 38–40 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may range between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius.
the situation highlights the growing impact of extreme weather on daily life, particularly for students. Authorities across states are closely monitoring conditions and taking necessary steps to ensure safety while balancing academic schedules. As temperatures continue to fluctuate, further adjustments in school operations may be expected in the coming weeks.
