The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region has revoked Stage-III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan after a sustained improvement in Delhi’s air quality.

In 2025, Delhi met the national PM2.5 air quality standard on only 156 out of 365 days. This accounted for just 43 per cent of the year, with only four such days recorded during the winter season, which remained the most polluted period.

Delhi’s air quality hit a severe AQI of 440, marking the most polluted January in two years, due to stagnant winds and rising emissions.

New Delhi’s air quality remained in the severe category on Sunday, with AQI readings touching levels last seen two years ago, making the second half of January among the worst on record.

O índice de qualidade do ar (AQI) de Delhi saltou acentuadamente para a zona “severa” mais tóxica no domingo, marcando o dia de janeiro mais poluído em dois anos, com o AQI atingindo 440 e dominando a cidade.

Delhi recorded an AQI of 440, making it the city’s worst January air quality in two years as weak winds and higher emissions trapped pollution.

Severe pollution grips national capital as unfavourable weather and emissions push AQI higher

Around 3,746 vehicles were issued challans for lacking valid pollution certificates within 24 hours, while hundreds were turned back at border crossings.

For over 19 hours, the AQI maxed out at 500 at Rohini — 6 pm on Sunday to 1 pm on Monday. From 2 pm onwards, Rohini’s AQI was unavailable on Monday. “Insufficient data” was stated as the reason.

On Sunday, Delhi's air crossed the 'severe plus' category for the first time this winter—with a 24-hour average air quality index of 461—the second-worst AQI reading for December since the system was launched in April 2015.

Among the worst affected areas were Jahangirpuri and Mundka — both recording an AQI of 499, Bawana  at 498 and other regions which neared the 500 mark.

Wazirpur, Rohini And Ashok Vihar Lead Delhi’s Wall Of Shame

All 40 monitoring stations in Delhi show 'red', meaning AQI in the 'severe' category.

Revoking Stage III restrictions may give a false sense of security, as 'severe' AQI persists in parts of Delhi.

Delhi AQI data gap explained: The world’s most polluted capital city is still largely flying blind when it comes to understanding the full scope of the toxic air its residents breathe.

Delhi's air quality worsened to "very poor" after Stage-3 restrictions were lifted, with an AQI of 381, raising concerns over fluctuating pollution measures.

Delhi's air quality worsened to "very poor" after Stage-3 restrictions were lifted, with an AQI of 381, raising concerns over fluctuating pollution measures.

The streak began in early November as the winter pollution season took hold, but unlike previous years, farm fires have contributed far less to the crisis.

Ethiopia’s volcanic ash has reached Delhi-NCR, causing flight disruptions, while air pollution impact on the ground remains minimal.

The article reports that the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the 'severe' category for the third consecutive day, recording an average of 404. Crucially, this marks the third day in a row that the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) missed its forecast, having predicted the air quality would be 'very poor' instead of 'severe'.