Are Delhi schools closed today? Students confused over reintroduction of GRAP IV restrictions

The Commission for Air Quality on Monday Night reimposed GRAP IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR after pollution rose sharply in the region. With GRAP III restrictions, schools were supposed to function in a hybrid mode from class 1-5. However, GRAP IV restrictions have left students confused.

There was no update on the impact on schools after the implementation of GRAP IV restrictions. However, schools might take a call and switch to online mode on Tuesday. It is advised to be in touch with their respective schools for accurate update on school holiday or online classes.

The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has instructed all schools to adopt a hybrid learning model for students up to Class V, effective immediately.


According to a circular issued on Monday, the directive applies to government, government-aided, unaided private schools under the DoE, NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board.

The circular also extends hybrid learning to students in grades VI-IX and XI across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida, where online learning is feasible. This comes after all schools in Delhi switched to a hybrid mode on November 25, with in-person classes resuming on December 5.

Last month Delhi schools were closed for a few days due to GRAP IV restrictions. Online classes were conducted for class 10, 12 students.

Delhi air pollution

The decision comes as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 400 mark on Monday night, indicating a severe pollution crisis.

At 9:00 PM, Delhi’s AQI stood at 399, and it crossed the 400 threshold just an hour later, prompting the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP to convene an emergency meeting.

In a tweet, the CAQM announced, “Considering the rise in the AQI of Delhi owing to highly unfavourable meteorological conditions and absolute calm wind conditions, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP called for an emergency meeting.” Following this, the committee decided to impose Stage-IV measures across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect.

Issuing a statement, CAQM said, "In pursuance of the Supreme Court's directives, the Sub-Committee hereby invokes the Stage-IV of the Schedule under the GRAP, as comprehensively revised and issued on December 13, 2024, with immediate effect. The actions under Stage-IV shall be over and above the actions under Stages III, II and I, already in force."

"The Air Quality parameters, however, further worsened owing to a drastic reduction in the mixing layer height and continued absolute calm-wind conditions over Delhi. The SubCommittee on GRAP was accordingly maintaining a close watch on the air quality scenario in Delhi," the order said. One must know that the GRAP is a set of emergency measures implemented in Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution based on the severity of air quality.

What does Stage-IV (Severe+) mean for Delhi?

Stage-IV is the highest level of air quality alert, defined as “Severe+” in the NCR’s GRAP system. Under this stage, the AQI exceeds 450, and stringent measures are enforced to reduce pollution levels. The measures include:

1. Vehicle Restrictions: A ban on non-essential truck traffic entering Delhi, except for vehicles carrying essential goods or providing necessary services. Trucks that are LNG, CNG, electric, or BS-VI compliant are exempted from the ban.
2. School Closures: All schools, except for Classes 10 and 12, will transition to online classes. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi confirmed that online instruction will continue until further notice.
3. Work-from-Home Guidelines: State governments, including the Delhi government, may decide to reduce in-person office attendance. Private, governmental, and municipal offices might implement a 50% work-from-home policy to limit the exposure of workers to hazardous air.
4. Construction Ban: The ban on construction activities under Stage III is extended to include linear public infrastructure projects such as highways, roads, and power transmission lines, to prevent additional dust pollution.
5. Health Advisory: Citizens, especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are advised to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities. The CAQM has called on residents to follow safety guidelines and reduce their personal emissions to help mitigate the crisis.