New Delhi, April 12, 2025 – The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has officially unveiled the school calendar for the 2025-26 academic year, providing a comprehensive roadmap for students, parents, and educators across government and government-aided schools in the national capital. The announcement, made earlier this week, outlines key dates for the academic session, holidays, and admission processes, ensuring stakeholders can plan effectively for the year ahead. With the academic session already underway, the calendar brings clarity and structure to Delhi’s educational landscape for 2025-26.

Academic Session Kicks Off

The new academic year for Delhi’s government and government-aided schools commenced on April 1, 2025, marking the official start of the 2025-26 session. This aligns with the DoE’s commitment to maintaining a consistent academic cycle despite challenges like extreme weather or administrative adjustments. The session’s start has been met with enthusiasm, as schools resume full operations following the conclusion of the previous year’s examinations and evaluations.

The DoE emphasized that the calendar adheres to statutory requirements, ensuring a minimum of 220 working days for schools, as mandated under the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973. This balance allows for sufficient instructional time while accommodating essential breaks for students and teachers.

Summer Vacation: A Much-Needed Break

One of the highlights of the 2025-26 calendar is the scheduling of the summer vacation, a critical period for students to escape Delhi’s scorching heat. The DoE has announced that schools will remain closed from May 11 to June 30, 2025, offering students a seven-week respite. This 51-day break is strategically timed to coincide with the peak summer months, when temperatures in the capital often soar above 40°C, making classroom learning challenging.

However, teachers are required to return to schools slightly earlier, on June 28, 2025, to prepare for the reopening of schools on July 1, 2025. These additional days will be used for administrative tasks, curriculum planning, and professional development activities, ensuring a smooth transition back to academic activities post-vacation.

The summer vacation schedule has been warmly welcomed by parents and students alike. “It’s great to have clarity on the dates so we can plan family trips or enroll kids in summer camps,” said Priya Sharma, a parent of a Class VII student in a government school in East Delhi. “The long break gives children time to recharge and pursue hobbies.”

Other Key Holidays

In addition to the summer vacation, the DoE has outlined other significant breaks for the 2025-26 academic year to ensure a balanced schedule:

• Autumn Break: A short holiday from September 29 to October 1, 2025, coinciding with festivals like Navratri and Dussehra, allowing students to participate in cultural and religious celebrations.
• Winter Vacation: Scheduled from January 1 to January 15, 2026, this break will provide relief during Delhi’s chilly winter months and align with New Year celebrations.

These breaks, combined with gazetted holidays for festivals and national events, ensure students have ample opportunities for rest and engagement with family and community activities. The DoE has also indicated that schools may observe additional preparatory breaks between examinations, with specific dates to be determined by individual institutions based on their assessment schedules.

Admissions for Classes VI to IX

The 2025-26 calendar also details the admission process for Classes VI to IX, a critical phase for students transitioning to higher grades. Planned admissions for these classes will be conducted from April 1 to June 30, 2025, allowing schools to streamline the enrollment process during the early months of the academic year. This window ensures that students are integrated into the system before the summer vacation begins.

For non-planned admissions, the DoE has introduced a flexible approach, scheduling three admission cycles throughout the year. Each cycle will have its own registration period, enabling schools to accommodate students who may need to enroll outside the primary admission window due to relocations or other circumstances. This structured yet adaptable system aims to minimize disruptions to students’ education.

Furthermore, under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, admissions for Classes VI to VIII will remain open year-round at the school level. This provision ensures that no eligible student is denied access to education due to administrative deadlines, particularly for those from economically weaker sections (EWS) or disadvantaged groups. “The RTE admissions throughout the year are a game-changer for families who face financial or logistical barriers,” said Anil Kumar, a school principal in South Delhi. “It reflects the DoE’s commitment to inclusive education.”

Planning and Transparency

The release of the 2025-26 school calendar underscores the DoE’s focus on transparency and proactive planning. The calendar was finalized after consultations with deputy directors of education and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), ensuring alignment with both academic and administrative priorities. The DoE has made the calendar accessible to the public via its official website, www.edudel.nic.in, encouraging parents and students to stay informed.

Education officials have also highlighted the importance of adhering to the outlined schedule to maintain academic continuity. “A well-planned calendar helps schools, teachers, and families stay on the same page,” said a DoE spokesperson. “It minimizes confusion and ensures that students can focus on learning without unnecessary interruptions.”

Looking Ahead

As Delhi’s schools settle into the 2025-26 academic year, the newly released calendar provides a clear framework for balancing education, recreation, and administrative processes. The structured holiday schedule, particularly the extended summer vacation, offers students a chance to unwind, while the streamlined admission process ensures access to education for all.

Parents and educators are now gearing up for a productive year, with the calendar serving as a vital tool for planning. “Having these dates in advance helps us prepare better-whether it’s for vacations, admissions, or academic goals,” said Meena Gupta, a teacher at a government-aided school in West Delhi. “It’s a step toward making education more organized and student-friendly.”

For the latest updates and detailed information, stakeholders are encouraged to visit the DoE’s official website or contact their respective schools. As the academic year progresses, the 2025-26 calendar promises to guide Delhi’s educational community through a well-structured and inclusive journey.

  academic sessions 2025, Delhi School Calendar 2025-26, DoE, school holidays