Are schools open tomorrow? State-wise updates for Buddha Purnima 2025 holiday

Schools across India will be closed on Monday, 12 May, as the country observes Buddha Purnima. It is a gazetted public holiday, and central government offices will also remain shut. In the capital, schools will be closed in line with the Directorate of Education (DoE) calendar.

This closure also marks the start of the official summer vacation in Delhi, which began on 11 May and will continue until 30 June. According to the 2025–26 academic session calendar, “June 28 and June 30 will be working days for teachers.” Delhi University has also listed Buddha Purnima as a holiday.

Schools in Punjab: A mixed picture

In Punjab, all educational institutions had earlier been closed from 9 May to 11 May, following safety concerns arising from India-Pakistan tensions. However, most of the state is preparing to reopen schools on Monday.

“All educational institutions — schools, colleges, and universities — across Punjab shall reopen from tomorrow. Regular classes and examinations will proceed as per the academic schedule. We are immensely proud of our brave armed forces,” Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said in a post on X on Sunday.

That said, some districts have opted to extend closures. Schools in Ferozepur, Sangrur, and Barnala districts will remain closed on 12 May. Teachers in these areas have been instructed to hold online classes from home. Bathinda district officials have asked school principals to postpone any examinations scheduled for Monday.

Rajasthan border schools stay shut

In Rajasthan, authorities have extended school closures across several border districts. All public and private schools in Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Barmer remain shut as a precaution.

“All schools in Jaisalmer will remain closed until further orders,” confirmed District Collector Pratap Singh Nathawat, according to The Indian Express on 10 May. There has been no further update from local authorities at the time of this report.

Jammu & Kashmir moves classes online

Jammu and Kashmir schools and colleges have been closed since 7 May. Most private institutions have shifted to online teaching. Government schools, however, have not yet transitioned online.

The state’s Education Minister, Sakina Itoo, said on X, “All universities and colleges across the state are directed to ensure student safety.” She also confirmed that helpline numbers have been set up to assist local students returning home and those from other states currently residing in J&K.

In neighbouring Ladakh, the district administration in Leh has ordered a similar closure of educational institutions for the same duration.

West Bengal advances summer holidays

Following an appeal by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, several private schools in Kolkata and other districts of the state advanced their summer break.

Schools such as Ballygunge Siksha Sadan, Delhi Public School Ruby Park, and St. Xavier’s Institution Panihati were among those that shut from 9 May. These closures are part of precautionary steps taken to ensure student safety during regional tensions, as reported by The Indian Express.

The precautionary closures in Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and West Bengal are linked to the escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border. The focus has been to protect students in potentially vulnerable zones. Authorities in each state have acted based on local assessments, and some closures are ongoing, while others are easing.

Buddha Purnima’s nationwide observance has coincided with these developments, creating a mixed schedule of shutdowns and reopenings across India.