Is Punjab School Holidays Extended?
Yes, winter holidays in Punjab schools have been extended till 13 January 2026, with regular classes scheduled to resume from 14 January.
The School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that the extension covers all government, aided, recognised and private schools across the state, so there is no confusion between rural and urban areas or between boards. Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) announced on X that, per the directions of Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, all schools in the state will remain closed until January 13 due to the increasing cold and fog, with schools reopening on January 14.
The break originally started in the last week of December and was first pushed up to 7 January, but the government has now gone for a second extension because the cold wave just refused to settle and fog stayed thick across many districts.
For parents, it basically means one more week of “winter vacation mode” at home, while schools and bus operators avoid sending small children out in near-zero visibility mornings.
A few key takeaways that genuinely matter for families and teachers:
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Schools will remain closed till 13 January 2026; reopening date is 14 January 2026, as per the latest order.
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The order clearly mentions all types of schools in Punjab, so individual schools cannot randomly opt out of the holiday extension.
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Academic schedules and exams are expected to continue as planned after reopening, though schools may adjust internal test dates slightly to cover the lost teaching days.
Parents in cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar or Patiala are already sharing those familiar stories: uniforms washed and ironed twice, tiffin plans made, and then another extension message on the school WhatsApp group at night.
It feels chaotic in the moment, but with this kind of cold and fog, most people quietly agree they would rather deal with restless kids at home than worry about them on the road.
Punjab Weather Forecast IMD (from January 7, 2026 – January 13, 2026)
Yes, the IMD forecast from 7 to 13 January 2026 clearly shows why Punjab chose to keep schools shut: cold wave conditions and dense to very dense fog are expected on multiple days across the state.
The national forecast notes cold wave conditions “very likely” over Punjab between 7 and 9 January, along with dense fog in the morning hours and lingering fog patches for several days after.
In simple terms, the week looks something like this for Punjab:
7–9 January:
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Cold wave conditions at several places in Punjab.
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Dense to very dense fog in the mornings, cutting visibility sharply on highways and village roads.
10–13 January:
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Fog likely to continue in isolated pockets, still affecting early-morning travel.
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Minimum temperatures remain below normal in many locations, keeping that biting “Punjab di sardi” feel alive.
IMD’s impact notes specifically flag the risk for road accidents, delays in flights and trains, and health issues for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly when exposed to intense cold and fog.
That is exactly the bracket school-going kids fall into, which is why education authorities linked the holiday extension directly to these warnings rather than waiting for things to get worse.
On the ground, it matches what people are experiencing: late sun, slow mornings, and that routine of checking visibility from the balcony before even thinking about stepping out.
For now, the practical approach for families is simple treat this week as an extended winter break, keep an eye on official school and government updates, and expect normal classes to return once Punjab gets a little break from the cold and fog after 13 January.
Disclaimer
This content is for general informational purposes only and is based on recent public reports and official notifications available at the time of writing. Readers should always verify exact school holiday dates, reopening schedules and weather alerts from competent government authorities or their respective schools before making any decisions.
