As several Indian states grapple with a severe heatwave that has pushed temperatures above 44C in several regions, school timetables are being revised to protect students, with some states also announcing early summer vacations or temporary closures.
Emergency measures are taken to minimize student exposure to extreme daytime heat.
“The climate is wreaking havoc in the country. The weather has become unpredictable and changes regularly. The challenge of summer vacations needs to be taken pragmatically,” Brian Seymour, principal of GD Somani Memorial School in Mumbai, told India Today.
The assumption that the extreme heat in summer starts from mid-May has now changed – there has been an increase in heat waves, already from April.
“The weather has become unpredictable in recent times. Mumbai is witnessing severe heatwaves in March itself and this is not a common phenomenon,” he added.
This prompted the authorities to change the summer holiday plans and announce the holidays earlier.
Delhi-NCR revised school timings
In the Delhi Capital Region (NCR), some schools have shifted their opening hours to accommodate the extreme heat, while others have prioritized school safety protocols.
In Noida and Greater Noida area, the District Magistrate has issued a mandatory review for all schools – government, private, CBSE, ICSE and others.
From Monday, April 27, Noida schools have been asked to adjust their timings to 7:30 am to 12:30 pm.
In Delhi, a nationwide change in timing is yet to be finalised, but Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered immediate implementation of the 2026 heat wave action plan.
Key measures of this plan include:
- “Water Bell” System: Schools must ring every 45 to 60 minutes to provide students with mandatory hydration breaks.
- Activity restrictions: All outdoor gatherings, sports and physical activities are strictly suspended between 11:00 and 16:00.
- Medical Support: Schools are authorized to provide ORS solutions to students prior to departure for the day to prevent dehydration during the commute.
- Summer Vacation: According to media reports, summer vacation in Delhi schools is expected to begin on May 11 for most of the government and aided schools.
Adjusted school hours in other states:
Uttar Pradesh: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Prayagraj (UP): 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Jharkhand: 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Bihar (Patna): By 11:30 am
Madhya Pradesh: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Odisha: 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Maharashtra: 7:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Rajasthan: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
However, in states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, teachers have to stay on campus till early afternoon.
Early summer vacation in these states:
Administrations in several other states have issued emergency orders to move students out of the heat entirely:
StateSchool closure status / holidaysChhattisgarhSummer vacation has been advanced and runs from April 20th to June 15th.West BengalThe summer holidays have started April 22covering all regions except mountainous areas like Darjeeling.OdishaThe official school holidays are scheduled to begin April 27th.TripuraThe authorities have ordered the temporary closure of all schools since r April 24 to May 1.JharkhandLocal authorities were empowered to advise temporary shutdowns in neighborhoods severely affected by the heat. Uttarakhand administrations of Dehradun, Pantnagar, Mukteshwar and New Tehri have issued orders to close all educational institutions from classes 1 to 12
Why are these measures necessary?
According to the latest IMD forecast, maximum temperatures in Delhi-NCR are expected to remain between 43-45 degrees Celsius during the next 48 hours.
The heat is joined by “significantly above normal” departures in regions such as Punjab, Haryana and West Uttar Pradesh, where night temperatures also do not cool significantly.
The Met Office said some relief is likely over the next 3-4 days, with temperatures expected to drop by 3-5C.
Authorities have warned that students are particularly vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration during peak hours (12:00-15:00). In response, schools are instructed to appoint Nodal Officers to monitor heat safety compliance and submit reports to the Directorate of Education by May 2.
