The district administration of Gautam Buddh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh has revised school timings due to dense fog and severe cold conditions. The decision has been taken to ensure the safety of students, especially young children, as visibility remains very low during morning hours.According to officials, the new school timing order will come into effect from January 19, 2026, and will remain applicable until further orders, ANI reports.

Revised school timings announced

According to the official notice issued under the directions of the District Magistrate, all schools in the district will now operate from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.The order states, “In compliance with the instructions given by the District Magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and in view of the dense fog and extreme cold, all classes in all schools operating in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, including government, private, and all schools affiliated with various boards, will be conducted from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, effective January 19, 2026, until further orders. These orders must be strictly followed,” ANI reports.

Schools and boards covered under the order

The revised timings will apply to all schools, including government and private institutions, and those affiliated with boards such as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), International Baccalaureate (IB), Uttar Pradesh Board, and others.

Dense fog and cold wave behind the decision

The move comes as dense fog and cold wave conditions continue to affect not only Gautam Buddh Nagar but also Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR). Poor visibility during early mornings has raised safety concerns for students commuting to schools.Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that dense to moderate fog persisted across several areas. Minimum temperatures were recorded between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius, which is below normal levels for this time of the year.

Air quality worsens across Delhi-NCR

In addition to cold weather, air quality in the region has also worsened. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reimposed Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR due to “Severe+” air quality conditions.The CAQM said, “keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and relevant factors, Stage-IV actions under GRAP have been invoked with immediate effect across the entire NCR as a proactive measure.”

Advisory for parents and students

Parents, students, and residents are advised to limit outdoor activities, follow health advisories, and take precautions against cold weather, dense fog, and hazardous air quality.Students and parents are also advised to stay updated through official school notices and district administration announcements for any further changes.(with ANI inputs)