Heatwave alert pushes Delhi-NCR schools to revise timings, prepone summer vacations – Check state-wise school schedule | Today News
Some schools have shifted their working hours to accommodate the extreme heat, while others are prioritizing in-school safety protocols.
As several Indian states grapple with a severe heatwave, pushing temperatures beyond 44°C in several regions, school timings are being revised to safeguard students, with some states also announcing early summer vacations or temporary closures.
Urgent measures are being implemented to minimise students' exposure to peak daytime heat.
"Climate is creating havoc in the country. The weather has become unpredictable and is regularly changing. The call of summer vacations should be taken pragmatically," Brian Seymour, Principal of GD Somani Memorial School, Mumbai, told India Today.
The assumption that extreme heat in the summer begins from mid-May has now changed — there has been an increase in heatwaves, starting as early as April.
"The weather has become unpredictable in recent times. Mumbai is witnessing severe heat in March itself, and this is not a usual phenomenon," he added.
This has pushed the authorities to change their summer vacation schedules and announce holidays earlier.
In the Noida and Greater Noida area, the District Magistrate has issued a mandatory revision for all schools — Government, Private, CBSE, ICSE, and others.
From Monday, 27 April, Noida schools were asked to revise their timings to 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
In Delhi, a blanket state-wide timing change has not been finalised yet, but Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered the immediate implementation of the Heat Wave Action Plan 2026.
However, in states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, teachers are still required to remain on campus until early afternoon hours.
The heat is compounded by "markedly above normal" departures in regions like Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh, where night temperatures are also failing to cool significantly.
The weather agency has said a slight relief is likely over the following 3-4 days, with temperatures expected to drop by 3-5°C.
Authorities have warned that students are particularly susceptible to heat exhaustion and dehydration during peak hours (12 PM – 3 PM). 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.
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