Delhi had no ‘good’ air day this year, none expected until December-end

Notably, this is the first year after 2018 when Delhi recorded no ‘good’ air days. There were no ‘good’ air days in 2016, too.

With an AQI of 349, the Capital was the second most polluted city in the country on Monday. (Express)

Delhi breathed its cleanest air this year in August when the average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 52. Yet, it fell short by two points required for a ‘good’ day, as per national standards.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a ‘good’ air day is when the AQI is below 50. Delhi has not had a single ‘good’ air quality day so far this year. With the current pollution levels and the air quality fluctuating between ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ so far this month, it is unlikely the Capital will have a good day before next year.

On Monday, after a brief respite, Delhi’s AQI returned to the ‘very poor’ category from ‘poor’ by noon. With an AQI of 349, the city was the second most polluted, closely behind West Bengal’s Durgapur (AQI of 360).

Also Read | Air pollution: GRAP 4 measures to continue in Delhi, says Supreme Court; CAQM to decide on reopening schools

Notably, this is the first year after 2018 when Delhi recorded no ‘good’ air days. There were no ‘good’ air days in 2016, too.

Since 2016, the lockdown year of 2020 saw the highest number of five ‘good’ air days — one in March and four in August. However, by 2021, this number had come down to one day in October but improved a tad to three ‘good’ days — one in September and two in October — in 2022. However, 2023 saw only a single clean-air day, in September.

Delhi reports the cleanest air during the monsoon season compared to the rest of the year, according to CPCB data. This explains the concentration of ‘good’ air days between August and October. Meteorological factors can lead to a lowering of pollution levels in pre-winter months.

According to the India Meteorological Department data, Delhi received no rain so far this month. In contrast, there were four rainy days in 2023. Further, since 2016, there have been instances of November rain in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Story continues below this ad

As per AQI trends over the past 10 years, the AQI at best has fallen to around 130, and not less in November and December. As a result, the year-end months record only ‘moderate’, ‘very poor’, ‘severe’ and ‘severe plus’ AQI days.

While a ‘good’ AQI has minimal health impacts, the index even in the ‘satisfactory’ range can lead to minor breathing discomforts.

A ‘moderate’ AQI would impact people with existing heart or lung diseases. When it plummets to the ‘poor’ range, most people would start experiencing symptoms of ‘prolonged exposure’. At ‘severe’ or ‘severe plus’ levels, pollution does not differentiate between healthy and unhealthy individuals.

Sophiya Mathew

Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Professional Background Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education. Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses: 1. The Air Pollution Crisis "A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure. "Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR. "Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter. 2. Enforcement & Regulations "No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy. 3. Education Policy "Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. "Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation. Signature Style Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws. X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram