Delhi records best air quality in 8 years: Panel

Delhi has just recorded its best average air quality index (AQI) — between January and October 2025 — in the last eight years, excluding 2020, which saw limited activity due to the Covid-19 lockdown, officials from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said on Friday.

The average AQI during this period stood at 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 officials said.

The data shared by the commission showed that Delhi did not witness any day with an AQI above 400, categorised as ‘severe’ or ‘severe ,’ from January to October this year. The corresponding number for such days was three in both 2024 and 2023, one in 2022, six in 2021, two in 2020, nine in 2019, and seven in 2018.

Further, the Capital saw the highest number of ‘satisfactory’ air quality days (79) during this period (excluding 2020), up from 66 days in 2024, 60 in 2023, 65 in 2022, 72 in 2021, 58 in 2019, and 53 in 2018.The commission reported that PM2.5 levels averaged 72 micrograms per cubic metre this year, the lowest since 2018 barring 2020, and down from 83 in 2024.

Similarly, PM10 concentration averaged 166 micrograms per cubic metre in 2025, compared to 186 in 2024, and has also been the lowest since 2018 except for the lockdown year.CAQM noted that Delhi-NCR transitioned from monsoon-influenced winds to a drier, more stable post-monsoon atmosphere between September and October. These meteorological changes, it said, reduced wind speed and moisture, limiting pollutant dispersion and leading to a seasonal increase in pollution levels.

Data tamper-proof: Sirsa

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday dismissed allegations of manipulation in the city’s air quality readings, stating that the monitoring system is “completely tamper-proof” and jointly managed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and India Meteorological Department (IMD).

“Delhi’s air quality data is completely tamper-proof — monitored jointly by DPCC, CPCB, and IMD. Rumours around data manipulation are baseless,” Sirsa said during a review meeting with enforcement and civic agencies.

This clarification comes after media reports earlier this week questioned the credibility of Delhi’s air quality data. Reports claimed that the official 24-hour average AQI shifted from “very poor” to “poor” pointing out that the apparent improvement coincided with a 14-hour gap in the release of hourly data, raising concerns about transparency and whether the recorded improvement reflected actual conditions or a data discrepancy.

The meeting was held to assess progress at the 13 identified pollution hotspots across Delhi. The minister said that coordinated efforts by multiple departments had helped bring down the city’s air quality index (AQI) to 218, compared to 357 on the same day last year.

“Our entire government machinery — MCD, DDA, NDMC, DSIDC, and others — has been working in coordination. This reflects that science-driven action and enforcement are delivering measurable results,” Sirsa said.

According to the Environment Department, more than 1,200 enforcement teams are deployed across the city, supported by 390 anti-smog guns, 280 water sprinklers, and daily mechanical sweeping of 3,000 km of roads.