Key Points
- Schools closed Jan 16-20 in UP districts for Makar Sankranti holy baths.
- Chandigarh schools extended winter break until January 17, 2026, due to cold.
- Jan 16 closures vary: cold in North, festivals in South & Northeast.
Due to heavy fog and dropping temperatures, schools in Delhi and Noida were initially closed until January 15th. Chandigarh has also extended its school holidays as adverse weather persists, and similar extensions are anticipated in other states.
Furthermore, a separate announcement dictates that all government, aided, and private schools for students in Class 1 to 12 will observe holidays from January 16th to January 20th. This five-day closure has been ordered by the district administration to accommodate the holy baths for Makar Sankranti and Mauni Amavasya.
Haryana Schools Closed Due to Cold and Fog
Due to severe cold and dense fog, the Haryana Directorate of School Education has extended school holidays for 3 more days to ensure student safety.
All schools will remain closed till 17 January 2026 (Saturday). Schools will reopen on 19 January 2026 (Monday) as per regular timings. District, block education officers and school heads must strictly follow the order.
Note: Schools may call Class 10 and 12 students for practical examinations as per the CBSE and ICSE board schedules, if required.
The South Indian Harvest Cycle
In states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, January 16 is a critical part of the four-day harvest celebration.
Thiruvalluvar Day: Dedicated to the celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher, this is a mandatory state public holiday in Tamil Nadu.
Kanuma: In the Telugu states, this day is dedicated to cattle and agriculture, usually marking the final day of the major Sankranti school break.
The North Indian "Cold Wave" Extension
In regions like Noida, Delhi, and Chandigarh, while there is no religious holiday on January 16, schools often remain closed due to the IMD (India Meteorological Department) alerts regarding "Dense Fog" and "Severe Cold Wave" conditions typical for mid-January.
The Northeast: Magh Bihu
In Assam, the celebration of Magh Bihu (the harvest festival) often sees schools closed for at least two days. Since the main Bihu is on January 15, the following day (Jan 16) is frequently a local or state-notified holiday for post-festival gatherings.
Chandigarh School Holidays
In view of the prevailing cold and foggy weather conditions, the District Education Office of the Union Territory of Chandigarh has extended the revised school timings and winter vacation for all government, government-aided, and recognized private schools across the UT until January 17, 2026, an official order said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday reported minimum temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius or below.
School Holidays on January 16 — State-Wise / Region-Wise Breakdown
This table summarizes the reasons for school closures or holidays on January 16, 2026, across different regions, based on weather and regional festivals.
State/Region | Primary Reason for Closure/Holiday | Applicable Classes/Schools | Key Details/Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh (Specific Districts) | Religious Festival (Makar Sankranti/Mauni Amavasya) | Class 1 to 12 (Government, Aided, Private) | Part of a five-day closure (Jan 16 - Jan 20) ordered by District Administration for holy baths. |
| Delhi & Noida (NCR) | Cold Wave / Dense Fog | Often Extended (Initially closed until Jan 15) | IMD alerts regarding "Dense Fog" and "Severe Cold Wave" conditions typical for mid-January. |
| Chandigarh (UT) | Cold Wave / Foggy Weather | All Schools (Government, Aided, Private) | Extension of winter vacation/revised timings until January 17, 2026, due to minimum temperatures of 5°C or below. |
| Tamil Nadu | Regional Festival (Thiruvalluvar Day) | All Schools (State Public Holiday) | Mandatory state public holiday dedicated to the celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher. Part of the four-day harvest celebration. |
| Andhra Pradesh / Telugu States | Regional Festival (Kanuma) | Often part of Major Sankranti Break | Dedicated to cattle and agriculture, usually marking the final day of the major Sankranti school break. |
| Assam | Regional Festival (Magh Bihu Post-Celebration) | Local/State-Notified Holiday | Frequently a holiday following the main Magh Bihu festival (Jan 15) for post-festival gatherings. |
| Bihar | Cold Wave / District Magistrate Orders | Varies (often primary sections first) | Closures are decided by the District Magistrate (DM); check local announcements. |
Checklist for Parents & Students
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Primary vs. Secondary: In the North, holidays are often extended only for Primary sections (Nursery to Class 8). High school students may still have classes.
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DM Orders: In states like UP and Bihar, school closures are decided by the District Magistrate (DM). Check local news at 8:00 PM the previous evening for sudden announcements.
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Online Classes: Many private schools switch to "Online Mode" during cold wave closures rather than giving a full holiday.
The school holiday observed on January 16, 2026, is a result of a combination of severe cold wave conditions in North Indian regions like Delhi, Noida, and Chandigarh, and the observance of major regional festivals in the South (Thiruvalluvar Day/Kanuma) and Northeast (Magh Bihu). Parents and students are strongly advised to check specific state and district administration announcements, especially for local DM orders and class-wise applicability, as closure decisions vary widely based on local weather severity and festival mandates.
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