The improving trend in the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR continues and for the period between January – November during the current year, Delhi registers its lowest ever average AQI (Air Quality Index) for the period between January – November, during the 8 years i.e., from 2018 to 2025 (barring 2020 – the year of lockdown due to COVID).

The average AQI of Delhi for the period January – November during the current year has been recorded as 187 as against 201 in 2024, 190 in 2023, 199 in 2022, 197 in 2021, 172 in 2020, 203 in 2019 and 213 in 2018 respectively, during the corresponding period.

This period of January – November, 2025 witnessed just 3 days with daily average AQI more than 400 (‘Severe to Severe+’ categories). There were 11 such days in 2024, 12 days in 2023, 4 days in 2022, 17 days in 2021, 11 days in 2020, 16 days in 2019 and 12 such days in 2018, respectively. 

Moreover, this year has not recorded any day with daily average AQI more than 450 (‘Severe+’) so far. There were 2 such days (AQI>450) in 2024, 2 days in 2023, 0 days in 2022, 3 days in 2021, 2 days in 2020, 5 days in 2019 and 0 days in 2018.

The period from January – November (upto 27th November) has seen the lowest levels of PM2.5 concentration in Delhi compared to the corresponding period since 2018, which is also at par with the year 2020 (the year of lockdown due to COVID). Delhi has witnessed PM2.5 average of 85 µg/m3 in the current year as against 98 in 2024, 90 in 2023, 90 in 2022, 95 in 2021, 85 in 2020, 99 in 2019 and 103 in 2018 respectively.

Likewise, the period January – November (upto 27th November) also witnessed the lowest levels of PM10 concentration in Delhi compared to the corresponding period since 2018 (barring 2020 – the year of lockdown due to COVID). Delhi has recorded an average of 183 µg/m3 in the current year as against 205 in 2024, 193 in 2023, 202 in 2022, 200 in 2021, 167 in 2020, 210 in 2019 and 228 in 2018.

CAQM is working closely with various stakeholders to take effective measures for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution and to improve the air quality in Delhi-NCR. These efforts would be intensified with an endeavour to further improve upon the air quality scenario in Delhi-NCR in the coming days.

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VM/SK

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