The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reports that Delhi-NCR has registered its best average Air Quality Index (AQI) in the last 8 years (2018-2025), excluding 2020, which was the year of COVID lockdown. The average AQI for Delhi during January-October in 2025 was 170, compared to 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 187 in 2022, 179 in 2021, 156 in 2020, 192 in 2019, and 201 in 2018. The January-October period in 2025 also did not witness a single day with average AQI more than 400 (‘Severe’ or ‘Severe+’ categories). 'Satisfactory' days numbered 79 in 2025, compared to 66 in 2024, 60 in 2023, 65 in 2022, 72 in 2021, 95 in 2020, 58 in 2019, and 53 in 2018. The PM2.5 concentration in Delhi has been the lowest since 2018, with an average of 72 µg/m³ in the current year as against 83 in 2024, 76 in 2023, 81 in 2022, 82 in 2021, 71 in 2020, 88 in 2019, and 93 in 2018. The PM10 concentration in Delhi has also been the lowest since 2018, with an average of 166 µg/m³ in the current year, compared to 186 in 2024, 174 in 2023, 191 in 2022, 182 in 2021, 147 in 2020, 197 in 2019, and 216 in 2018. CAQM is working with stakeholders to prevent, control, and abate air pollution. The information was posted by PIB Delhi on 31 OCT 2025 at 8:13PM. The Release ID is 2184873.
Key Entities Referenced
Delhi-NCR: The geographical area comprising Delhi and its surrounding regions, where air quality is being assessed.
Air Quality Index (AQI): A metric used to report daily air quality, with lower values indicating better air quality.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change.
CAQM: Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi NCR and Adjoining Areas
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Delhi NCR registers Best Average Air Quality in
last 8 years during January - October barring
COVID lockdown period
Posted On: 31 OCT 2025 8:13PM by PIB Delhi
The overall air quality of Delhi-NCR, for the period between January – October during the current
year, has registered its best average AQI (Air Quality Index) during the 8 years i.e., from 2018 to
2025 (barring 2020 – the year of lockdown due to Covid).
The average AQI of Delhi during the said period in the current year has been recorded as 170 as
against 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 187 in 2022, 179 in 2021, 156 in 2020, 192 in 2019 and 201 in
2018 respectively, during the corresponding period.
From September to October, Delhi–NCR shifts from monsoon-influenced winds that are relatively
stronger and carry humid air to a post-monsoon regime where winds become weaker and the air turns
drier and more stable. These meteorological conditions reduce pollutant dispersion and often lead to an
increase in air pollution levels.
This period (January – October) in 2025 did not witness even a single day with average AQI more
than 400 (‘Severe’ or ‘Severe+’ categories). There were 3, 3, 1, 6, 2, 9 and 7 such days during the
years 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
Moreover, this period also witnessed highest number of ‘Satisfactory’ days i.e. 79 such days (barring
2020 – the year of lockdown due to Covid), as against 66 days in 2024, 60 days in 2023, 65 days in
2022, 72 days in 2021, 95 days in 2020, 58 days in 2019, and 53 days in 2018.
The period from January – October (upto 29th October) has seen the lowest levels of PM
2.5
concentration in Delhi compared to the corresponding period since 2018 (barring 2020 – the year of
lockdown due to Covid). Delhi has witnessed PM average of 72 µg/m3 in the current year as against
2.5
83 in 2024, 76 in 2023, 81 in 2022, 82 in 2021, 71 in 2020, 88 in 2019 and 93 in 2018 respectively.
Likewise, the period January – October (upto 29th October) also witnessed the lowest levels of PM
10
concentration in Delhi compared to the corresponding period since 2018 (barring 2020 – the year of
lockdown due to Covid), recording an average of 166 µg/m3 in the current year as against 186 in
2024, 174 in 2023, 191 in 2022, 182 in 2021, 147 in 2020, 197 in 2019 and 216 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 and efforts would be
intensified with an endeavour to further improve upon the air quality scenario in Delhi-NCR in the
coming days.*****
VM
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Read this release in: Urdu