**Executive Summary**
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued Statutory Direction No. 98 to strengthen industrial emission control measures in Delhi-NCR. The direction proposes a uniform and stricter particulate matter (PM) emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified industries. This standard will be implemented in phases, with deadlines of August 1, 2026, and October 1, 2026, depending on the size of the industry.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **New Emission Standard:**
* The maximum permissible limit of PM emissions for 17 categories of highly polluting industries operating in Delhi-NCR is set at 50 mg/Nm³.
* Affected industries include those identified by CPCB as red category (medium and large) air-polluting industries, food and food processing units, textile industries with boilers/thermic fluid heaters, and metal industries with furnaces.
* The standard does not apply if a PM emission standard of less than 50 mg/Nm³ is already prescribed.
* **Implementation Timeline:**
* Large and medium industries must comply by August 1, 2026.
* Remaining industries must comply by October 1, 2026.
* **Enforcement and Awareness:**
* NCR State Governments, the Government of NCT of Delhi, Pollution Control Boards of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee are directed to ensure effective implementation of the directive and adherence to the compliance deadlines.
* These entities are also directed to undertake information, education, and communication (IEC) activities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Industries in Delhi-NCR
* **Impact:** Industries must adhere to a stricter PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³.
* **Action Required:** Industries must ensure their PM emissions comply with the new standard by the applicable deadline (August 1, 2026, or October 1, 2026, depending on size).
**Stakeholder:** NCR State Governments, the Government of NCT of Delhi, Pollution Control Boards of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee
* **Impact:** Accountable for ensuring the directive's effective implementation and compliance with the new PM emission standard.
* **Action Required:** Implement the statutory direction and ensure compliance with the prescribed timelines, undertake IEC activities to sensitize stakeholders and raise awareness.
Key Entities Referenced
Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): The primary regulator issuing the statutory direction to control industrial emissions.
Statutory Direction No. 98: The key directive proposing a stricter particulate matter emission standard.
Delhi-NCR: The geographical area where the particulate matter emission norms apply.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): The organization whose recommendations informed the Statutory Direction No. 98
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM Issues Statutory Direction for Stricter
Particulate Matter (PM) Emission Norms in
Industries across Delhi-NCR
Posted On: 21 FEB 2026 1:51PM by PIB Delhi
In a move to further strengthen industrial emission control measures across the National Capital Region
(NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Saturday
issued Statutory Direction No. 98, proposing a uniform and more stringent particulate matter (PM)
emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified industries across Delhi-NCR.
The Commission, considering the recommendations of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) based
on studies conducted by IIT Kanpur, as well as the Technical Committee constituted by CPCB, is of the
view that a PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ is technically achievable and environmentally necessary.
The revised standard is expected to significantly reduce industrial emissions and contribute to the
abatement of air pollution, leading to benefits for people living in the immediate vicinity of industrial
sources and overall improvement in regional air quality.
The Commission has directed as follows:
i. The maximum permissible limit of PM emissions from 17 categories of highly polluting industries
identified by CPCB, red category (medium and large) air-polluting industries, food and food processing
units, textile industries having boilers/thermic fluid heaters and metal industries having furnaces operating
in Delhi-NCR shall be 50 mg/Nm³.
This standard shall not apply to industrial units for which a PM emission standard of less than 50 mg/Nm³
has been prescribed under any applicable consent, direction or statutory provision.
ii. The revised PM emission standard shall be applicable to the targeted industries as follows:
a) Large and medium industries with effect from August 1, 2026;
b) Remaining industries with effect from October 1, 2026.
Industrial stack emissions are a significant source contributing to elevated PM levels in Delhi-NCR and
also lead to secondary particulate formation, thereby adversely impacting air quality in the region. Since
its inception, the Commission has undertaken a series of targeted measures, including mandatory
transition to cleaner fuels, prescription of emission standards for biomass- and other fuel-based boilers and
furnaces, and issuance of approved fuel lists through various statutory directions.
In this background, the respective NCR State Governments, the Government of NCT of Delhi, the
Pollution Control Boards of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and the Delhi Pollution Control
Committee have been directed to ensure effective implementation of the statutory direction, particularly
adherence to the prescribed timelines for compliance with the revised PM emission standard. They have
also been directed to undertake intensive information, education, and communication (IEC) activities to
sensitise stakeholders and spread awareness.*****
VM/GS
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