In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, several states across India have ordered the closure of schools and colleges as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff. The decision follows India's counter-terrorism strikes in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which has heightened security concerns along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).
Punjab: The Punjab government has directed the closure of all schools, including government, private, and aided institutions, across the entire state for the next three days. This directive also extends to Chandigarh. Furthermore, schools in six border districts—Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran—have been shut down until further notice. Himanshu Jain, the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana district, confirmed that all schools would remain closed on May 9 and 10, 2025. Citing the tensions, the Punjab government has also cancelled the leaves of all police personnel. District authorities in Tarn Taran and Fazilka have banned firecrackers during weddings and other events, while authorities in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ludhiana are cracking down on hoarders. A blackout has been enforced in several cities including Pathankot, Mohali, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Chandigarh.
Jammu and Kashmir: The Union Territory government has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges, and universities for two days as a precautionary measure. Education Minister Sakina Itoo stated that all educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir would remain closed on Friday and Saturday. Ghulam Nabi Ittoo, Director of School Education Kashmir, announced that all government and private schools in Baramulla, Kupwara, and the Gurez sub-division, as well as schools near Srinagar and Awantipora Airport, would remain closed on May 9 and 10, 2025. In the Jammu division, the Divisional Commissioner has directed the closure of all government and private schools, colleges, and other institutions in five key border districts: Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch.
Rajasthan: The Rajasthan government has shut down government and private schools in the border districts of Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer. Additionally, all colleges in Jodhpur have been ordered to remain closed. These closures are part of a broader security initiative following high alerts sounded in western Rajasthan. The state government has also cancelled the leaves of administrative and police personnel deployed near the International Border, as well as the leaves of all medical, nursing, and paramedical staff.
Haryana: All educational institutions in Panchkula will remain closed on Friday and Saturday.
Other regions: In Islamabad, the district administration has announced the closure of all educational institutions in the federal capital for one day due to rising tensions along the Pakistan-India border.
These widespread closures reflect the heightened state of alert and the priority given to the safety and security of students and staff in the face of escalating tensions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have advised students and staff to stay in contact with their respective institutions for updates.
