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Until now, the Delhi government allowed parents to choose between sending their children to school or opting for online classes.
Smog engulfs Kartavya Path as people take a stroll amid low visibility, near the India Gate in New Delhi on December 13, 2025. (Image: PTI)
The Delhi government on Monday ordered all schools to shift to compulsory online-only classes for students from nursery to Class 5, citing a sharp rise in air pollution levels across the national capital.
Until now, the Delhi government allowed parents to choose between sending their children to school or opting for online classes. That option has now been withdrawn.
In a circular, the Directorate of Education said, “In view of the prevailing high AQI levels in Delhi, it has been decided that classes in physical mode for students of nursery to Class 5 are discontinued till further orders for all government, government aided and unaided private recognized schools of Delhi.”
“All heads of schools are hereby directed to ensure classes in online mode for the students of these classes. However, rest of the classes will continue to be conducted as per directions issued [earlier]…” it added.
School heads have been instructed to immediately inform parents and guardians about the change, while Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs) at the zonal and district levels have been asked to ensure smooth implementation of the order.
Delhi AQI ‘Severe’
Delhi woke up to yet another winter morning wrapped in thick smog on Monday, as air quality stayed firmly in the ‘severe’ category across the national capital for the third consecutive day.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 457 at 6 am, according to data from the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, with visibility plunging in several parts of the city.
A thick haze enveloped Delhi, severely limiting visibility across the city. Flight operations from the national capital were also expected to be affected, prompting the airport and airlines to issue advisories as conditions continued to deteriorate.
The pollution control board categorises air quality as ‘moderate’ for AQI levels between 101 and 200, ‘poor’ between 201 and 300, and ‘very poor’ between 301 and 400. Readings above 400 fall in the ‘severe’ category, while levels of 450 and above are termed ‘severe plus’ for mitigation measures, with an AQI of 500 classified as extremely dangerous.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 15, 2025, 19:24 IST
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