The increasing frequency of heat waves in India is prompting states to rethink and advance summer vacation schedules for schools. The pattern of states advancing summer holidays has been increasing since 2022. Several states in India have declared summer holidays for schools ahead of schedule due to extreme heat.
Temperatures in North India are expected to spike up to 45 degrees Celsius. The Odisha government announced early summer vacations starting from April 27, 2026. Chhattisgarh brought forward summer holidays to start on April 20, 2026.
At least 10 states have declared summer holidays earlier than the established schedule since 2022. Schools in Uttar Pradesh have adopted new timings from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm to protect children from heat. Delhi has initiated a ‘water bell’ program to remind students to stay hydrated during school hours.
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have moved to early morning shifts for schools to avoid extreme heat. Brian Seymour stated, “The weather has become unpredictable and is regularly changing.” Neha Sharma remarked that schools often fail to manage curricula effectively amid challenging weather conditions.
Nandita Sinha Roy emphasized that advancing summer vacations doesn’t affect school calendars if the academic planner is well-prepared in advance. Brian Seymour added, “Vacations are necessary for children as they need a mental break after a year-long study.”
