The Punjab government has revised working hours for all state government offices, schools and colleges, with the new 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM schedule taking effect from Monday, May 25. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on 22 May in response to intensifying heatwave conditions across the state.
Under the revised arrangement, government offices, service centres, and educational institutions, including government, aided, and private schools, will function from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM until further notice. The earlier 9 AM to 5 PM schedule has been suspended for the duration of the advisory.
In an official statement, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “The decision has been taken to facilitate the common people so they can conveniently get their work done in government offices during the scorching heat. The decision was taken after due consultation with all stakeholders to ensure the welfare of everyone.”
The shift is also aimed at easing pressure on the state’s power grid. According to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) data cited in the official statement, peak power load begins after 1 PM, which means the earlier closing time is expected to lower electricity consumption during the hottest hours of the day.
For HR teams operating across Punjab, the advisory has direct implications for attendance systems, shift planning, and the way private employers coordinate with government counterparts. Employees of government departments, banks, and service centres will now be available only in the morning window, which is likely to affect compliance filings, payroll cycles tied to government holidays, and field operations that intersect with public services.
The move follows a wider pattern across northern India, where several states have introduced precautionary measures in response to the heatwave. Earlier this month, the India Meteorological Department issued heatwave alerts for Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, with daytime temperatures consistently crossing 44 degrees Celsius.
The revised timings will remain in effect until further notice. The state government has indicated it will review the arrangement based on weather forecasts in the coming weeks. HR leaders managing distributed teams in the region should expect similar advisories from neighbouring state governments if the heatwave persists.
