Schools, Colleges Shut Across States Amid Security Concerns; Jamia Reschedules J-K Entrance Exams
In light of heightened security concerns across several northern states, authorities have ordered the temporary closure of schools and colleges in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Ladakh.
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has rescheduled its entrance examinations originally set for May 10 and 11 for students from Jammu and Kashmir, according to a statement by J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo on X. Many schools across the region have also shifted to online classes to minimize disruption to students’ academic schedules, as reported by PTI. The Jammu and Kashmir administration had earlier directed all educational institutions to remain closed until Saturday as a precaution. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated the decision will be reviewed on Monday.
Similar directives have been issued in other regions. In Ladakh’s Leh district, all schools will remain shut for the same period. Rajasthan has closed both government and private schools in border districts including Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer. Colleges in Jodhpur have also been asked to remain shut. With a high alert in place across these districts, authorities implemented a temporary blackout from midnight to 4 AM, citing concerns over potential airstrikes.
In Delhi, some private schools opted to switch to online classes on Friday as a safety measure amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. This follows the Indian military’s Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has directed all educational institutions to remain closed for the next three days due to ongoing border tensions. In the Tricity area—comprising Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula—schools will remain shut on Friday and Saturday. Panjab University has also postponed its exams slated for May 9, 10, and 12, with new dates yet to be announced. In Haryana, institutions in Panchkula will also stay closed for two days.
The ripple effect of the tensions has reached the south as well. The Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) has postponed its UGET 2025 and Uni-GAUGE E examinations in view of the current situation.
