Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM revises GRAP schedule, making it more stringent to Prevent further Deterioration of Air Quality in Delhi–NCR
Posted On:
22 NOV 2025 2:40PM by PIB Delhi
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the entire NCR on 21.11.2025.
GRAP is an emergency response mechanism for entire NCR, based on Average AQI levels and forecasts for meteorological/ weather conditions in Delhi that brings together multiple stakeholders, implementing agencies and authorities in NCR to respond to situations of deteriorating air quality in the region. GRAP for NCR has been formulated after careful consideration of scientific data, stakeholder consultations, expert recommendations along with field experience and learnings in the past years.
The Commission, through its Sub-Committee on GRAP had detailed consultation on 20.11.2025 with the stakeholders concerned on the issue of proposed amendments in the schedule of GRAP and agreed to make following amendments in the schedule of GRAP:
A. The following measures currently under GRAP Stage II to be taken under GRAP Stage I:
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Stage I – ‘Poor’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI ranging between 201-300)
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- Ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage use of alternate power Generating sets/ equipment (DG sets etc.).
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- Synchronize traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections / traffic congestion points for smooth flow of traffic.
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- Alert in newspapers / TV / radio to advise people about air pollution levels and Do’s and Don’ts for minimizing polluting activities.
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- Augment public transport services through CNG/ electric buses and metro services by inducting additional fleet and increasing the frequency of service. Introduce differential rates to encourage off – peak travel.
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B. The following measures currently under GRAP Stage III to be taken under GRAP Stage II:
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Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI ranging between 301-400)
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- (i) GNCTD and NCR State Governments to stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
(ii) State Governments may take a decision to stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in other areas of NCR.
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- Central Government may take a decision on staggering of timings of Central Government offices in Delhi – NCR.
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C. The following measures currently under GRAP Stage IV to be taken under GRAP Stage III:
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Stage III – ‘Severe’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450)
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- NCR State Governments / GNCTD to take a decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength and the rest to work from home.
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- Central Government may take appropriate decision on permitting work from home for employees in central government offices.
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The aforesaid highlighted changes indicate the key amendments in the revised GRAP [November, 2025]. The complete details of the extant GRAP are available on the official website of the Commission i.e., https://caqm.nic.in
Further, all the agencies responsible for implementation of GRAP in NCR have been directed to take note of modifications made in the revised GRAP Schedule and implement the same immediately in the region.
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VM/SK
(Release ID: 2192852)
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