December school holidays in India vary from state to state. Still, a few clear patterns help parents plan ahead. Christmas Day, December 25, is the only national holiday and all schools remain closed.
Many states are planning a winter break for the last part of the month. Schools in Uttar Pradesh usually close from December 20 to 31, giving students about 12 days off. PM SHRI schools in several states are following a break from December 23 to January 1, totaling up to 10 days.
In Madhya Pradesh, many districts celebrate holidays on 23rd December or 24th December. School holidays end either on December 31 or in the first days of January.
The winter zone of Jammu and Kashmir has a different rhythm. Severe weather closes many classes from late November to late February. So December is completely gone.
Delhi keeps December mostly academic as pre-boarding exams are held. However, schools close on December 25th and the winter holidays do not move until the very end of the month.
In Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, most schools also close during the last 10 days of December. However, the exact dates are announced in individual state circulars.
Some regions also observe local holidays associated with district-level festivals or events, which may affect selected schools. Parents are advised to check their school’s official notification as final timetables are issued locally.
Regional school holidays in December
December brings a number of regional school holidays across India. These vary widely.
Schools in Goa are usually closed on 3 December for the feast of St Francis Xavier and on 19 December for Liberation Day in Goa, Daman and Diu.
Schools in Jammu and Kashmir close on December 5 for Sheikh Abdullah Jayanti. Meghalaya celebrates holidays on 12th and 18th December. Chhattisgarh celebrates the holiday on 18 December.
Some states consider December 24 as an optional holiday. Many schools start their winter holidays from this date. Haryana, Telangana and several northeastern states also observe holidays on December 26 and 27.
School holidays in December: Advice for parents
Parents should check state circulars and the school calendar for the exact December list. These notices appear on the website of the Ministry of Education and in school applications.
They must monitor updates carefully to avoid confusion about regional closures. Local decisions can change at short notice in many parts.
