The Directorate of Education (DoE) in Delhi has finalised the academic and holiday schedule for the crucial transition period from late 2025 to early 2026. This timeline is particularly significant for senior students preparing for board exams, while also outlining festive closures and the mandatory winter break for all schools in the capital.
Key Holiday Schedule: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Schools across Delhi-NCR, encompassing government, government-aided, and recognised private institutions, will observe specific holidays around Christmas. December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve) is marked as a restricted holiday. While most schools will remain open, they may opt for an early closure. Parents are advised to check their school's specific circular for exact timings.
In contrast, December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day) is a full Gazetted holiday, ensuring all educational institutions remain closed. The administration has emphasised that all holiday observations must comply with the Right to Education (RTE) Act-2009 mandate of 220 working days for upper primary and 200 for primary classes.
Pre-Board Examinations and Academic Focus
The latter half of December 2025 is earmarked for high academic activity. Pre-board examinations for students in Classes 10 and 12 are scheduled between December 15 and 31, 2025. This period is critical for final board exam preparation. Schools are directed to maintain regular working hours during this time to ensure academic rigour.
For younger students, particularly those up to Class 5, hybrid learning models may continue due to concerns over the Air Quality Index (AQI). This could impact outdoor activities and regular schedules. Parents should stay alert to official notifications from their schools regarding any sudden changes prompted by AQI alerts.
Official Winter Vacation and Compliance
The official winter break for all schools in Delhi is set for the first half of January 2026. The winter vacation will span from January 1 to January 15, 2026, providing a mid-year respite for students and staff.
School administrations have been instructed to meticulously record all holidays—including Gazetted, restricted, and special leaves—to guarantee the fulfilment of the mandatory working days. Both government and recognised private schools must also submit formal undertakings confirming adherence to the 220-working-day requirement for the academic year.
The Delhi Directorate of Education continues to monitor the situation, providing guidance to ensure a smooth academic transition between examination periods, holidays, and the new session. All stakeholders are urged to verify final dates and any alterations directly with their respective school authorities.
