Severe cold waves and dense fog force widespread school closures across northern India on January 5, 2026, prioritizing student safety amid hazardous travel conditions. In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directs all schools from Class 1 to 12 to remain shut until January 5, extending protections in fog-shrouded areas like Noida and Ghaziabad. Haryana observes winter vacations from January 1 to 15 for Classes 1-12, though practical exams for Classes 10 and 12 may summon select students under CBSE/ICSE guidelines.
Delhi, Punjab, and neighboring NCR districts including Noida and Ghaziabad mirror these measures, with many institutions closed until January 6 or later pending weather clearance. Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana maintain normal operations, highlighting regional divides in climate impacts on education delivery. Parents receive directives to verify local announcements, as reopenings from January 6 to 16 hinge on fog dissipation and temperature rebounds.
Amid disruptions, Uttar Pradesh celebrates a milestone with the inauguration of its first state-level Braille Library at Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University in Lucknow. Vice Chancellor Acharya Sanjay Singh unveils the facility on the Swami Vivekananda Central Library’s first floor, stocking specialized resources to empower visually impaired students statewide. This initiative advances NEP 2020’s inclusivity goals, fostering equitable access in higher education for differently-abled learners.
Exam calendars intensify preparations as GATE 2026 admit cards from IIT Guwahati face delays beyond the expected January 2 release, prompting aspirants to monitor NTA portals closely. Haryana’s BSEH postpones the Class 12 Special Marks Improvement Exam from January 6-14 to January 21 onward, affecting both academic and open school streams; a revised date sheet awaits on bseh.org.in. Telangana innovates by dispatching Intermediate Exam 2026 hall tickets via WhatsApp to parents, streamlining access for millions.
CBSE mandates skill education training for Classes 6-8 teachers starting January 5 through NCERT’s Kaushal Bodh, embedding vocational modules into core curricula per NEP reforms. Schools offering only Classes 9-12 must affiliate fully by March 31 or risk status changes, though current board examinees complete sessions unaffected. IIT Bombay opens MBA 2026 admissions, signaling robust postgraduate opportunities amid competitive surges.
School assemblies nationwide spotlight these developments—from weather-mandated holidays to accessibility breakthroughs—instilling awareness of policy shifts and safety protocols. As NEP implementation accelerates, experts anticipate AI integration and skill prioritization to define 2026’s educational narrative beyond seasonal interruptions. Northern reopenings promise renewed focus on recovery and equity, setting the tone for a resilient academic year.
