With temperatures soaring to record highs this April—reaching 39.2°C in Dehradun and exceeding 43°C in parts of Delhi—state governments and district administrations have issued urgent revisions to school schedules. These measures aim to prevent heat-related illnesses among students during the peak afternoon hours.
Revised School Timings & Closures (Effective April 27, 2026)
| Region | Revised Timing | Scope / Grades |
| Noida (Gautam Buddh Nagar) | 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM | All schools (Council, Private, CBSE/ICSE) |
| Ghaziabad | 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Nursery to Class 8 |
| Patna (Bihar) | Closes at 11:30 AM | Classes 1 to 8 |
| Sikar (Rajasthan) | 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Pre-primary to Class 8 |
| Ajmer (Rajasthan) | 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Primary to Class 8 |
| Dehradun (Uttarakhand) | Closed | All schools (1-12) & Anganwadi centers |
Specific State Measures
Delhi: The “Water Bell” & Buddy System
While a blanket time change for all Delhi schools hasn’t been mandated yet, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed the Directorate of Education to implement a high-alert “Heatwave Action Plan.”
- Water Bell System: A bell rings every 45–60 minutes to ensure mandatory hydration breaks.
- Buddy System: Students are paired up to monitor each other for signs of heat exhaustion.
- ORS Distribution: Schools are directed to provide ORS solutions to students before they disperse for the day.
- Summer Vacation: Currently scheduled from May 11 to June 30, 2026, though authorities may advance this if the mercury continues to rise.
Uttarakhand: Emergency Closures
Dehradun has taken the strictest stance, ordering a total shutdown for all educational institutions today, April 27, following an IMD warning. Temperatures in the region are currently 5°C above the seasonal average, making outdoor commutes hazardous for children.
Uttar Pradesh & Rajasthan: Early Morning Shifts
In Noida, Ghaziabad, and parts of Rajasthan, the shift to a 7:30 AM start is designed to ensure students are back home before the 1 PM – 4 PM peak heat window. Physical education (PE) and outdoor assemblies have been suspended across these districts.
Safety Checklist for Parents
- Cotton Clothing: Send children in light-colored, breathable cotton uniforms.
- Hydration: Ensure your child carries a large water bottle; consider adding a pinch of salt and sugar (or ORS) to their water.
- Communication: Stay active on class WhatsApp groups, as timings are being updated on a day-to-day basis depending on IMD alerts.