The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the entire NCR on November 21, 2025. The revised GRAP schedule, effective November 22, 2025, makes the plan more stringent to prevent further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR. Key changes involve implementing measures previously under higher GRAP stages at lower AQI levels:
* **GRAP Stage I (Poor Air Quality, DELHI AQI 201-300):** Measures from former GRAP Stage II are now in effect, including ensuring uninterrupted power supply, synchronizing traffic movements, alerting the public via media about pollution levels, and augmenting public transport services.
* **GRAP Stage II (Very Poor Air Quality, DELHI AQI 301-400):** Measures from former GRAP Stage III are now in effect, including staggering timings for public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar, and potentially other areas in the NCR. The Central Government may also decide to stagger the timings of Central Government offices in Delhi-NCR.
* **GRAP Stage III (Severe Air Quality, DELHI AQI 401-450):** Measures from former GRAP Stage IV are now in effect, including allowing public, municipal, and private offices to operate with 50% staff, with the rest working from home, and Central Government offices permitting work from home for employees.
The agencies responsible for implementing GRAP in NCR must take note of these modifications and implement them immediately. Complete details of the GRAP are available on the official website: https://caqm.nic.in.
Key Entities Referenced
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): An emergency response mechanism for entire NCR, based on Average AQI levels and forecasts for meteorological/ weather conditions in Delhi.
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): Responsible for revising the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for NCR and Adjoining Areas.
Delhi-NCR: Region to which the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is applicable.
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:
Stage I – ‘Poor’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI ranging between 201-300)
1. Ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage use of alternate power Generating sets/
equipment (DG sets etc.).
2. Synchronize traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections / traffic
congestion points for smooth flow of traffic.
3. Alert in newspapers / TV / radio to advise people about air pollution levels and Do’s and
Don’ts for minimizing polluting activities.4. 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.
B. The following measures currently under GRAP Stage III to be taken under GRAP Stage II:
Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI ranging between 301-400)
1. (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.
2. Central Government may take a decision on staggering of timings of Central Government
offices in Delhi – NCR.
C. The following measures currently under GRAP Stage IV to be taken under GRAP Stage III:
Stage III – ‘Severe’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450)
1. 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.
2. Central Government may take appropriate decision on permitting work from home for
employees in central government offices.
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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