Delhi air quality hits three-month high as AQI reaches 187
Delhi's air quality has hit a three-month high with an AQI of 187, while NCR cities like Noida and Ghaziabad slip into the Poor category.
The air quality in the national capital has taken a noticeable dip, reaching the higher end of the 'Moderate' category. According to the latest 24-hour bulletin from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 187, marking the highest pollution level the city has seen in nearly 83 days.
Data gathered from 43 of the 46 active ambient air quality monitoring stations across the city indicates that particulate matter 10 (PM10) has emerged as the primary pollutant driving this sudden spike.
Health risks and pollution categories
While an AQI between 101 and 200 is officially classified as 'Moderate', health experts warn that this level is not without risk. The CPCB notes that moderate air quality can cause breathing discomfort, particularly for vulnerable populations such as those suffering from asthma, lung diseases, or heart conditions.
For context, the CPCB uses the following scale to categorize air quality:
- 0–50: Good
- 51–100: Satisfactory
- 101–200: Moderate
- 201–300: Poor
- 301–400: Very Poor
- 401–500: Severe
NCR cities struggle as pollution enters 'Poor' zone
While Delhi remains in the moderate bracket, neighboring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) are facing much harsher conditions. Several areas have slipped into the 'Poor' category, with PM10 and PM2.5 acting as the main culprits.
Pollution levels in neighboring cities:
- Noida: 281 AQI
- Ghaziabad: 248 AQI
- Faridabad: 224 AQI
- Greater Noida: 171 AQI
- Gurugram: 166 AQI
Weather trends and upcoming forecast
The rise in pollution coincides with warm and dry weather conditions across the capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Delhi's maximum temperature on Sunday hit 36.4 degrees Celsius, which is 2.2 degrees above the seasonal norm. The minimum temperature was recorded at 23.8 degrees Celsius.
Residents may find some relief soon. The IMD's seven-day forecast suggests that while Monday will see mainly clear skies, isolated thunderstorms and rain are expected on Tuesday, which could provide a temporary respite from the rising dust and pollutants.
A shift in Delhi's annual pollution pattern
This recent uptick follows a period of relative improvement. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, September 2026 saw Delhi's lowest monthly average AQI in five years, standing at 102. This was a significant improvement compared to the averages of 105 in both 2024 and 2025.
The ministry also highlighted that from January to September 2026, Delhi recorded 194 days with an AQI below 200, the highest number of "moderate" days in the last five years. Additionally, the city saw only 79 days of 'Poor to Severe+' air quality during this period, down from 86 days in previous years.
As the winter season approaches—a time when meteorological changes and emission sources typically cause air quality to plummet—the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is working with various stakeholders to intensify measures for pollution control and abatement in the Delhi-NCR region.