AQI News

Delhi has enforced GRAP Stage 4 emergency curbs as air quality turned severe, with schools shifting to hybrid mode, offices reducing attendance, and residents and experts voicing health and long-term concerns. 

The air quality of the national capital and surrounding areas continues to deteriorate on Sunday morning as CAQM has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR, areas like Anand Vihar, ITO area, as a thick layer of toxic smog blankets the city, with AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 491 and 485.

World’s Most Polluted City: This city has topped the global pollution charts once again, recording an alarming AQI of 353 according to IQAir. While cities like Delhi and Mumbai often dominate pollution discussions, it is this city that has emerged as the world’s most polluted city.

While metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai continue to struggle with high pollution levels. Some cities across India are enjoying fresh, clean air this week. These urban and rural pockets demonstrate how natural surroundings, low industrial activity, and effective pollution control measures can contribute to healthier air quality.

Air quality plunged dramatically across the National Capital Territory on Wednesday, as the city-wide AQI shot up to 388, according to data shared by the Sameer app. This sharp rise catapults Delhi firmly into the "very poor" category once again, erasing the slight improvement recorded just a day before.

Air pollution has become one of the biggest global health challenges, affecting millions of people every year. Polluted air contains harmful particles like PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and toxic chemicals. When we breathe this polluted air, it can damage our lungs, heart, brain, and overall health.

Delhi’s AQI hit 316 on November 3, 2025, placing it firmly in the ‘very poor’ category. Breathing the city’s air is now as harmful as smoking nearly 8 cigarettes a day. Pollution levels have risen by over 7% since last year, with several areas recording hazardous readings.

In a shocking turn post-Diwali, Delhi’s air quality plunged to ‘severe’ levels, sparking public outrage over rising pollution and perceived government inaction.  

The Central Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced GRAP-1 measures across Delhi-NCR. The Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 211 on October 14, placing it in the “Poor” category. The Sub-Committee on GRAP will continue to track AQI trends and adjust measures as needed to ensure a coordinated response.

Extreme heat may raise the levels of airborne toxins inside homes. One of the biggest contributors is volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, a colourless gas emitted by many everyday household items.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at various locations early Saturday was still above the 200 mark.

The air quality in Delhi improved to the 'very poor' category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI was recorded at 356 in the national capital during early hours on Thursday.  

The main pollutant, PM2.5, has reached a concentration 35.6 times greater than the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The step to impose Stage 4 curbs was prompted by the major drop in AQI, which breached the 400 mark on Monday night. Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 379 at 4 pm.

The air quality panel of the Central government on Monday invoked restrictive measures under stage three of the air pollution control plan.

A thin layer of smog engulfed several areas around Delhi-NCR, including India Gate and Barapulla.  

Theo Jones, Dyson Engineer shares with Zee News Digital queries about the indoor air quality in our home that could help us make educated decisions to reduce air pollution exposure.  

Karachi's air quality index (AQI) surged to 212, making it the most polluted major city globally, according to the Swiss group IQAir's rankings as reported by The News International.

Lahore has topped the national air quality index, followed by Peshawar as the second most polluted city in the country. Multan ranks third, Rawalpindi fourth, Karachi fifth, and Islamabad sixth on the list.