The Delhi government has ordered all schools across the National Capital Region (NCR) to postpone physical sports competitions scheduled for November and December, citing severe air pollution and the serious health risks it poses to children.
This directive follows urgent recommendations by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and court interventions expressing concern over students’ exposure to hazardous pollution levels during outdoor activities.
Schools under various administrative bodies including government, government-aided, private recognised schools, colleges, and sports associations have been instructed to strictly comply with the suspension until further notice.
The Supreme Court and Delhi High Court have both emphasized revising the annual sports calendar to avoid peak pollution months and ensure children’s health and rights are protected.
Severe Air Pollution and Its Impact on Children
The air pollution levels in Delhi have escalated to the “severe” and “hazardous” categories, with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings exceeding 400 in many parts of the NCR.
Contributing factors include stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicle emissions, construction dust, and industrial pollutants, creating a toxic smog that blankets the region especially during winter months.
During a consultative meeting held on November 19, 2025, an assembly of key stakeholders, including officials from the Department of School Education, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various pollution control boards, agreed that outdoor physical sports events risk exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular problems in children.
Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing as amicus curiae in the Supreme Court, starkly warned that “holding sports events now is like putting children in gas chambers,” highlighting their vulnerability to such pollution levels. Parents have largely supported the government’s postponement decision but expressed concern over the need for adequate indoor sports facilities to help children stay active safely.
Judicial Interventions and Government Response
This decision comes amid a series of judicial interventions triggered by growing public and legal concern over children’s right to health and life while pursuing education in Delhi.
The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran has requested the CAQM to consider issuing formal directions to defer sports events until the air quality improves.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has criticised the government for allowing outdoor school sports activities during the highly polluted winter months from November to January, calling the government’s earlier approach “shirking responsibility.”
A plea filed by 11 schoolchildren seeking rescheduling of the sports calendar argued that holding outdoor sports during hazardous pollution periods forces them to choose between their right to health and education.
Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan representing these students called for tournaments to be shifted to months like April when the air is safer.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education in Delhi has been directed to provide status reports on compliance, with the next hearing scheduled in January 2026.
Broader Context and Public Health Concerns
The annual spike in Delhi’s air pollution is a complex, multifaceted crisis worsened by regional agricultural practices, urban infrastructure gaps, and lax regulatory enforcement.
While emergency measures such as suspending school sports provide immediate relief, health experts warn of long-term consequences including increased rates of asthma, lung infections, and impaired lung development in children.
Environmentalists and healthcare professionals stress that this recurring pattern signals systemic failures that require coordinated, sustained action involving tighter emission controls, shifted agricultural cycles, and public awareness campaigns.
The Commission for Air Quality Management and government officials continue to explore options to ensure schools and sports authorities can reschedule activities without compromising the academic or physical development of children.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The postponement of outdoor school sports is a necessary, responsible step to protect children from Delhi’s toxic air crisis.
However, this situation reflects a deeper, urgent call for long-term, sustainable strategies to achieve clean and safe air for all citizens.
Reliance on temporary bans cannot substitute for comprehensive government policies, industrial compliance, and community engagement aimed at pollution prevention and environmental justice.
Protecting children’s health through better infrastructure, environmental accountability, and smarter urban planning must be a priority beyond the months of severe pollution.
