In the wake of India’s missile strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) under Operation Sindoor, all government and private schools in Rajasthan’s border districts — Barmer, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, and Jaisalmer — have declared holidays until further notice as a precautionary measure.
In Barmer, a key district on the India-Pakistan border, District Collector Tina Dabi issued a closure order for all educational institutions.
“I, Tina Dabi, District Collector and Chairperson, District Disaster and Disaster Management Authority, Barmer, exercising the powers conferred under Section 30 of Chapter 4 of the Disaster Act 2005, in view of the national security and emergency situation in Barmer district, in the context of the safety of school children, holiday is declared for all the government and non-government (private) schools / educational institutions / CBSE schools / Anganwadis / Madrasas up to class 12th in Barmer district from May 8, 2025 till further orders and the home /common examination to be held from May 8, 2025 is also postponed till further orders.”
The directive also warned school heads of disciplinary action under the Disaster Management Act if they violate the order.
In Bikaner, District Collector Namrata Vrishni also declared a holiday for all educational institutions, citing similar reasons of national security and student safety.
Sri Ganganagar followed suit. District Collector Dr. Manju invoked the Disaster Management Act, issuing a blanket closure order from May 7:
“I, Dr Manju, District Collector and Chairperson, District Disaster and Disaster Management Authority, Sri Ganganagar, exercising the powers conferred under Section 30 of Chapter 4 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, in view of the security and peace in Sri Ganganagar district, in the context of the safety of school children, declare holiday for the students of all government and non-government (private) schools/ educational institutions/CBSE schools/Anganwadis/Madrasas up to class 12 in Sri Ganganagar district from May 7 till further orders and the home / common examination to be held from May 7 is also postponed till further orders.”
Similarly, in Jaisalmer, District Collector Pratap Singh announced the closure of all schools and Anganwadi centres:
“I, Pratap Singh, District Collector and Chairman District Disaster and Disaster Management Authority, Jaisalmer, exercising the powers conferred in Section 30 of Chapter 4 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, in view of the national security and emergency situation in Jaisalmer district, in the context of the safety of school children, declare holiday for all government / non-government schools and Anganwadi Pathshala / Play School Educational Institutions / CBSE Schools / Madrasas up to class 12th in Jaisalmer district from May 8 till further orders and the home / common examination to be held from May 8 is also postponed till further orders.”
All institution heads and staff are required to be present during normal school hours despite the student holidays.
These decisions come amid fears of possible retaliation from Pakistan following India’s precise strikes on nine terror sites under Operation Sindoor. The operation was launched in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, with the aim of eliminating key Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leaders and dismantling their infrastructure.
The Indian Army continues to monitor ceasefire violations along the Line of Control, maintaining high alert in border areas.