Schools in Delhi must now run classes up to Class 5 in hybrid mode, after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) brought in Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Friday, 6 November. Hindustan Times reports that the Delhi Directorate of Education issued the order the same day. It covers government, aided and recognised private schools under the directorate, as well as schools run by the NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the arrangement is mandatory and also applies to Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat, according to Careers360 and Moneycontrol.
What this means for parents
- You can choose, where online classes are available. Moneycontrol reports that students up to Class 5 can attend in person or online, and that the choice is left to students and their parents or guardians.
- Your school should contact you. The Delhi order asks school heads to inform parents immediately, according to Hindustan Times.
- There is no end date. Sirsa said the curbs last as long as Stage III does, so it could end or change when the air quality rules change.
- Check plans for after Diwali. Diwali is on 8 November. If your child’s school is on a break, ask how it will run classes when it reopens.
What we have not seen
We have not seen the text of the Delhi order or separate orders from the Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat districts. Details of the order in the reports we read cover Delhi schools, while the NCR cities come from the minister’s statement. If you live in one of those cities, confirm the arrangement with your school.
Why now
Delhi’s Air Quality Index was 382 on Friday, in the “very poor” range and close to “severe”, Moneycontrol reports. It was 364 at 9:05 AM on Saturday, according to Central Pollution Control Board data cited by Hindustan Times. Sirsa said air quality could worsen further as wind speeds drop.
Sources: Hindustan Times, Careers360 and Moneycontrol, 6 and 7 November 2026.
