According to a press release from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Delhi registered its best average Air Quality Index (AQI) from 2018 to 2025, except for the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown period, for the period of January - September.
The average AQI in Delhi for January to September of 2025 was recorded as 164, compared to 178 in 2024, 167 in 2023, 184 in 2022, 180 in 2021, 144 in 2020, 188 in 2019, and 193 in 2018.
For the monsoon season (July to September), the average AQI was 91 in 2025, 91 in 2024, 103 in 2023, 95 in 2022, 99 in 2021, 88 in 2020, 106 in 2019, and 109 in 2018. No days with AQI above 400 were recorded in the January to September 2025 period, while there were 03, 03, 01, 06, 02, 07, and 06 such days in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The highest number of 'Satisfactory' days (75) were also witnessed during the January to September 2025 period, as against 66 days in 2024, 59 days in 2023, 61 days in 2022, 69 days in 2021, 95 days in 2020, 54 days in 2019, and 53 days in 2018.
The period from January to September (upto 28th September) showed the lowest levels of PM2.5 concentration in Delhi since 2018 (excluding 2020), with an average of 69 µg/m³ in 2025, compared to 81 in 2024, 73 in 2023, 80 in 2022, 83 in 2021, 65 in 2020, 85 in 2019, and 89 in 2018. Similarly, the lowest levels of PM10 concentration were also witnessed, with an average of 161 µg/m³ in 2025, compared to 181 in 2024, 169 in 2023, 190 in 2022, 183 in 2021, 133 in 2020, 194 in 2019, and 208 in 2018.
CAQM is working closely with stakeholders to take measures for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. This press release was posted by PIB Delhi on 01 OCT 2025 6:33 PM.
Key Entities Referenced
Delhi-NCR: The region of Delhi and its surrounding areas, relevant as the subject of air quality measures.
Air Quality Index (AQI): An index used to report daily air quality and related to the levels of air pollution.
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): The body responsible for taking measures for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Union government ministry publishing data about Delhi air quality.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Delhi registers its best average AQI during 2018 to
2025, barring only the 2020 lockdown period during
Covid
Not even a single day with average AQI more than
400, besides witnessing highest number of
‘Satisfactory’ days, during January – September
period in 2025
Posted On: 01 OCT 2025 6:33PM by PIB Delhi
Aided by favourable meteorological conditions and efforts by stakeholders concerned, the average AQI of
Delhi for the period January – September during the current year has been recorded as 164. This was achieved
as against 178 in 2024, 167 in 2023, 184 in 2022, 180 in 2021, 144 in 2020, 188 in 2019 and 193 in 2018
respectively, during the corresponding period.
The average AQI for the Monsoon Season (July to September) of current year has also been the best during
the 8 years i.e., from 2018 to 2025 (barring 2020 – the year of lockdown due to Covid). For the monsoon
period (July – September), Delhi recorded an average AQI of 91 in 2025, 91 in 2024, 103 in 2023, 95 in 2022,
99 in 2021, 88 in 2020, 106 in 2019 and 109 in 2018 respectively;
Further, this period (January – September) in 2025 did not witness even a single day with average AQI more
than 400 (‘Severe’ or ‘Severe+’ categories). There were 03, 03, 01, 06, 02, 07 and 06 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. 75 such days (barring 2020 – the year of lockdown due to Covid), as
against 66 days in 2024, 59 days in 2023, 61 days in 2022, 69 days in 2021, 95 days in 2020, 54 days in 2019,
and 53 days in 2018;
th
The period from January – September (upto 28 September) 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
3
due to Covid). Delhi has witnessed PM average of 69 µg/m in the current year as against 81 in 2024, 73 in
2.5
2023, 80 in 2022, 83 in 2021, 65 in 2020, 85 in 2019 and 89 in 2018 respectively.
th
Likewise, the period January – September (upto 28 September) also witnessed the lowest levels of PM
10
concentration in Delhi compared to the corresponding period since 2018 (barring 2020 – the year of lockdown
3
due to Covid). An average of 161 µg/m was recorded in the current year as against 181 in 2024, 169 in 2023,
190 in 2022, 183 in 2021, 133 in 2020, 194 in 2019 and 208 in 2018;
CAQM is working closely with various stakeholders concerned 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.
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VM(Release ID: 2173778)