Delhi Records Cleanest Air in 8 Years, No ‘Severe’ Pollution Days in 2025

Delhi-NCR has recorded cleaner air quality in 2025 in eight years except 2020, when lockdown has reduced pollution. The air quality showed huge improvement between January and October 2025 as compared to last years.

The Commission for Air Quality Management says that during this period, Delhi's average AQI was 170, which is much better than 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 187 in 2022, and 201 in 2018, indicating that the city's pollution is going down over the years.

Delhi did not have a single day when the air quality did not witness ‘Severe’ or ‘Severe+’ category, which happens when the AQI reaches above 400 and the air quality becomes very harmful to breathe. In contrast, there were a few such bad days numbered three in 2024, three in 2023, six in 2021, and seven in 2018. At the same time, this year saw the highest number of ‘Satisfactory’ air quality days, 79 days which is much better compared with 66 in 2024 and 60 in 2023. This indicates that the air quality remained cleaner for longer period this year.

The level of PM2.5 which categorised under very dangerous air pollutant that can enter the lungs, averaged 72 micrograms per cubic meter this year. This is the lowest since 2018 except for 2020. Similarly, levels PM10 another type of dust and pollution dropped to166 µg/m³, which is also the best in the same period.

Experts say that Delhi’s air quality typically worsens after the monsoon season because the winds slow down, air becomes dry, and pollution doesn’t spread easily. Surprisingly, this year improvement is seen, mainly due to regular and effective pollution control efforts made by authorities.

The Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM said that it continues to work with state governments and other agencies to reduce air pollution in the capital city. It also plans to take stronger steps in the coming months to keep improving air quality and maintain the progress.