Schools across Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon have extended their winter holidays until January 15, 2026, as North India grapples with a persistent severe cold wave and dense fog. The Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of NCT of Delhi, announced that all government and private schools in the capital will remain shut until January 15, with the winter break originally commencing on January 1st as per the academic calendar. In Noida, part of Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district, authorities have similarly ordered the closure of schools for classes up to Class 8 until January 15. This extension followed an earlier directive that had closed schools until January 10 due to the extreme cold and low visibility. Haryana's Directorate of School Education also confirmed that winter vacations for all government and private schools in Gurgaon and other parts of the state would continue until January 15, with classes scheduled to resume on January 16. The primary reasons cited for these extensions are the prevailing harsh winter conditions, including biting cold temperatures and dense fog, which significantly reduce visibility and pose safety and health risks for students commuting to school, especially during early morning hours. Current weather reports indicate that Delhi is experiencing a cold wave, with minimum temperatures dipping, and moderate to dense fog is expected to persist, further validating the necessity of these precautionary measures. This widespread closure affects a large student population and provides relief to parents who were concerned about their children's well-being in the extreme weather.