Delhi schools are mostly running in a hybrid way due to severe air quality. As of December 16 , there is no general holiday announced for all classes. Many students and parents are hoping for a full closure or early winter break.
The air quality in Delhi is in the 'Severe' to 'Severe Plus' categories. This means the air is unhealthy and poses serious health risks. The Air Quality Index (AQI) often goes above 400 , sometimes reaching the maximum limit of 500 . This high pollution makes it hard to breathe and can cause health problems, especially for sensitive groups like children and the elderly.
Government officials have told people to stay indoors as much as possible. They also advise wearing masks when stepping outside. Thick smog has made it hard to see, with visibility sometimes dropping to just 5-10 meters . This causes problems for flights and road traffic.
Government Actions on Air Pollution
To deal with the bad air, the Delhi government started Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV). Under this plan:
- All private and government schools must run classes in a hybrid format. This applies to students up to Class 11 . Class 10 students are an exception and continue regular classes.
- Half of the staff in government and private offices should work from home (WFH). The other 50% can come to the office.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) had earlier directed schools to operate in a hybrid format when Stage III of GRAP was in place.
Students and Parents Expect Action
Because the air quality is severe, many students and their parents want the authorities to take more steps. They are asking for schools to be fully shut down or for winter vacations to start earlier. They are worried about the health risks from breathing polluted air every day.
The Supreme Court will hear a case about Delhi-NCR's worsening air pollution on December 17, 2025 . This hearing will discuss ways to tackle the ongoing pollution crisis.
Protect Yourself from Bad Air
Here are simple steps to stay safe when the air quality is poor:
- Check the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) for your area regularly. You can use apps or websites like AQI.in or IQAir.
- Stay indoors as much as you can. This is important when AQI levels are 'poor,' 'very poor,' or 'severe.'
- Try to avoid going out during morning and evening hours. Pollution levels are usually highest at these times.
- Drink a lot of water and herbal teas. This helps your body remove toxins and keeps your throat and nose moist.
- Eat healthy foods that are rich in antioxidants. These include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and foods with Vitamin C, Omega-3 fatty acids, and magnesium. Such foods help your body fight off bad effects and reduce swelling.
