In a significant development for the education sector, schools in the national capital have received official instructions to resume in-person learning for several senior grades. This decision follows a notable improvement in the city's air quality, prompting authorities to lift the strictest pollution control measures.
Offline Classes Resume for Senior Students
The Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a circular on 24 December 2025, directing schools to conduct normal physical classes for students in classes 6 to 9 and class 11. This order applies to Government, Government Aided, and Unaided Recognized Private Schools under the DoE, as well as those run by the NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board. The shift back to offline mode is effective immediately after the Christmas holiday period.
The directive became possible after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to revoke the actions under Stage IV (Severe+) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This stage is invoked when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 450. The revocation came as the AQI in Delhi-NCR showed sustained improvement, moving into the "Poor" category.
Hybrid Mode Continues for Primary Sections
While older students return to classrooms, the guidelines differ for younger children. The DoE has instructed that classes up to Grade 5 (Primary) will continue to follow a hybrid mode of instruction. This means a combination of both physical and online classes, wherever online learning is feasible. This cautious approach for younger students remains in place as some pollution control measures under GRAP Stages I, II, and III are still active.
Board Classes Unaffected, Air Quality Monitored
The notification clarified that classes for board-exam grades—Class 10 and Class 12—have been continuing in physical mode and shall remain unaffected by this new order. Their offline schedules will proceed as usual.
The CAQM's order highlighted that the AQI of Delhi showed significant improvement due to high winds and favorable meteorological conditions, recording an AQI of 271 (Poor category) on 24 December 2025. By the morning of 25 December, the average AQI was recorded at 220. However, the commission also noted forecasts from the IMD and IITM suggesting a potential deterioration in air quality in the coming days due to slower wind speeds, indicating that the situation remains under close watch.
This move brings relief to a large section of students and parents awaiting a return to normalcy in the academic calendar, while authorities balance educational needs with ongoing public health concerns related to air pollution.
