The High Court on Monday closed a plea seeking directions against holding outdoor sporting events in schools during Delhi’s peak pollution months after the Delhi Government informed the Court that it had revised the annual sports calendar.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma took on record a fresh circular issued by the Department of Education (DoE), stating that the Delhi State School Games (DSSG) will conclude by October 2026, before the onset of the winter season when air pollution levels typically worsen.

Appearing for the Delhi Government, Advocate Harshita Nathrani submitted that the revised schedule addressed the petitioners’ grievance, as all outdoor games would now conclude before the high-pollution months.

In view of the revised calendar, the Court disposed of the petition filed by a group of minor schoolchildren.

The petition had sought directions to the DoE to ensure that outdoor sports tournaments are not scheduled during the winter months, contending that Delhi’s air quality during that period is routinely classified as severe and hazardous. The petitioners argued that requiring children to participate in strenuous outdoor sporting events in such conditions violated their fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 21A of the Constitution.

Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan, appearing for the students, had submitted that compelling children to remain outdoors and participate in sports when the Air Quality Index reaches hazardous levels was causing serious harm to their health.

Earlier this year, the Delhi Government had informed the Court that it was unable to alter the annual sports calendar to prohibit outdoor sporting events during the winter season. However, following the issuance of the revised DoE circular, the Court found that the grievance stood substantially addressed and closed the proceedings.