The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) has declared a notification claiming the closure of all public and private colleges and universities across Punjab on Monday, October 12, 2026, as fake. The department has confirmed that educational institutions across the province will remain open as usual.
The clarification came after a misleading notification circulated on social media, creating confusion among students, parents, teachers, and educational institutions.
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Punjab HED Rejects Fake Holiday Notification
The fake notification, dated October 11, claimed that colleges and universities in Punjab would remain closed on October 12 due to the law and order situation in the province. It appeared to have been issued by the Punjab Higher Education Department.
However, the department rejected the announcement and clarified that no such closure had been declared. Students and staff have been advised to follow the department’s official announcements instead of relying on unverified information shared on social media.
Will Colleges and Universities Be Closed on October 12?
No. According to the Punjab Higher Education Department’s clarification, public and private colleges and universities will remain open on Monday, October 12, 2026.
The key details are given below:
| Detail | Official clarification |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Province | Punjab |
| Public colleges | Open |
| Private colleges | Open |
| Public universities | Open |
| Private universities | Open |
| Viral holiday notification | Fake |
| Reason mentioned in fake notice | Law and order situation |
Students should continue following their regular academic schedules unless their individual institution issues a separate, official announcement.
HED Advises Students to Avoid Fake News
The Punjab Higher Education Department has urged students, parents, and educational institutions to remain cautious about unverified notifications. False holiday announcements can disrupt classes, examinations, attendance, and other academic activities.
The department has also stressed the importance of checking the authenticity of official-looking documents before sharing them with others.
A notification circulating on social media should not be treated as genuine simply because it carries a government department’s name, logo, or official-looking format.
Punjab HED Provides Helpline for Verification
To help the public confirm the authenticity of notifications and circulars, the Punjab Higher Education Department has provided a dedicated helpline.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Department | Punjab Higher Education Department |
| Helpline | 042-99210039-42 |
| Purpose | Verification of notifications and circulars |
Students and parents can use the helpline to seek clarification about education-related announcements and avoid being misled by fabricated notices.
The department has also previously warned the public about fake notifications and established a dedicated cell to help verify information and prevent confusion.
How Students Can Check Official Holiday Announcements
Students can follow a few simple steps to avoid confusion when a holiday notification goes viral:
- Check whether the announcement has been issued through an official government department channel.
- Look for a matching notification or circular from the relevant education authority.
- Contact the Punjab Higher Education Department’s helpline if the information remains unclear.
- Confirm examination schedules and class timings directly with the relevant college or university.
- Avoid forwarding unverified screenshots and messages to WhatsApp groups or social media pages.
These steps can help prevent unnecessary absences and the spread of misleading information.
Final Update
The Punjab Higher Education Department has confirmed that the viral notification announcing the closure of public and private colleges and universities on October 12, 2026, is fake. Educational institutions across Punjab are scheduled to remain open on Monday.
Students, parents, and teachers should rely on verified departmental announcements and contact the HED helpline if they need confirmation about a notification or circular.
