As the country marks the harvest season with festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Lohri and Pongal, schools across several states and cities will remain closed tomorrow due to a mix of pre-declared winter vacations, festival observances and weather-related winter break extensions. While January 14 is widely associated with Makar Sankranti celebrations, school closures this year are largely driven by ongoing winter breaks and severe cold wave conditions in North India, according to local media reports.
Makar Sankranti is observed every year around January 14 and marks the Sun’s transition. The festival is celebrated under different names across the country — Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab and parts of north India, Uttarayan in Gujarat, and Magh Bihu in Assam. The day is closely linked with the harvest season and is marked by regional rituals, traditional food and community gatherings.
In southern India, Pongal celebrations coincide with school holidays in several states, while in North India, Lohri festivities fall close to the end of winter vacations, adding to the festive break for students in many regions.
Uttar Pradesh
As per the UP government’s directives, January 15 will be observed as a holiday on account of Makar Sankranti.
Delhi: Schools shut as part of winter vacation
Schools in Delhi will remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 14, 2026. The Directorate of Education, Government of Delhi, had earlier declared winter vacations from January 1 to January 15, 2026.
Makar Sankranti is not listed as a gazetted school holiday in Delhi, and schools usually remain open on the day during regular academic sessions unless a specific order is issued.
Punjab: Winter break ends tomorrow, extensions likely
Punjab is currently facing severe cold wave conditions and dense fog, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for districts such as Bhatinda, Firozpur, Moga and Muktsar. An orange alert has been sounded for Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran and Nawashahr.
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The Punjab government had earlier declared winter holidays for schools until January 7, 2026. Following consultations between the School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the break was extended till January 13, 2026. As per the latest order, all schools in the state are scheduled to reopen on January 14.
However, amid continuing cold and low visibility, students and parents have been urging the authorities to further extend the winter vacation, citing safety concerns during early morning commutes, according to local media reports.
Chandigarh: Holidays extended till January 17
In neighbouring Chandigarh, the administration has extended winter vacations once again due to plunging temperatures. As per local media reports, schools in the Union Territory will now remain closed until January 17, 2026, and will reopen on January 19, 2026, since January 18 falls on a Sunday.
Earlier, Chandigarh schools were scheduled to reopen on January 14 after the winter break ended on January 13. The decision to extend the holidays was taken in view of persistent cold wave conditions and dense fog, keeping student safety in focus. The IMD has also issued a warning forecast for Chandigarh till January 17.
