Delhi schools have started only online classes for students up to class 5 due to pollution

Last updated:December 15, 2025, 7:49 pm IST

Till now, the Delhi government allowed parents to send their children to school or opt for online classes.

Fog covered the duty path as people were walking amid low visibility near India Gate in New Delhi on December 13, 2025. (Image: PTI)

Citing a sharp rise in air pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi government on Monday ordered all schools to shift to mandatory online-only classes for students from nursery to Class 5.

Till now, the Delhi government allowed parents to send their children to school or opt for online classes. That option has now been withdrawn.

“In view of the prevailing high AQI levels in Delhi, it has been decided that classes in physical mode for students from nursery to class 5 in all government, government-aided and unaided private recognized schools in Delhi are closed till further orders,” the Directorate of Education said in a circular.

“Heads of all schools are directed to ensure classes in online mode for the students of these classes. However, the rest of the classes will continue to be conducted as per the instructions issued [earlier]…” it added.

School heads have been directed to immediately inform parents and guardians about the change, while Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs) at the regional and district levels have been asked to ensure smooth implementation of the order.

Delhi AQI ‘severe’

Delhi woke up to another winter morning shrouded in dense smog on Monday as the air quality in the national capital remained in the ‘severe’ category for the third consecutive day.

According to data from the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 457 at 6 am, while visibility reduced in many parts of the city.

Dense smog blanketed Delhi, severely limiting visibility across the city. Flight operations from the national capital were also expected to be affected, forcing airports and airlines to issue advisories as the situation continued to worsen.

The Pollution Control Board classifies air quality as ‘moderate’ for AQI levels between 101 and 200, ‘poor’ between 201 and 300 and ‘very poor’ between 301 and 400. Readings above 400 fall in the ‘severe’ category, while levels of 450 and above are called ‘severe plus’ for mitigation measures, with an AQI of 500 classified as ‘extreme’. Dangerous.

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