New Delhi, October 1 (APAC Media): Delhi-NCR continued to witness an improving air quality trend in 2026, with Delhi recording its lowest September average AQI in five years. The city’s monthly average AQI stood at 102, better than the corresponding figures recorded between 2022 and 2025.
Comparison with Previous Years
The capital recorded a monthly average AQI of 102 in September 2026, compared with 105 in 2025 and 2024, 108 in 2023, and 104 in 2022.
The latest figures indicate an improvement in the city’s average air quality during September, with the 2026 reading emerging as the lowest among the corresponding monthly averages recorded over the five-year period.
194 Days in Moderate AQI Category
The January-September period of 2026 also saw the highest number of days with daily average AQI below 200, classified as the ‘Moderate’ category, in the last five years.
Delhi recorded 194 such days in 2026, compared with 187 in 2025, 188 in 2024, 193 in 2023, and 146 in 2022.
Meanwhile, the number of days in the ‘Poor to Severe+’ category declined to 79 during January-September 2026. This was the lowest figure for the corresponding period in the five-year comparison. The city had recorded 86 such days in both 2025 and 2024, 80 in 2023, and 127 in 2022.
PM2.5 Concentration Also Remains Low
Delhi’s average PM2.5 concentration stood at 69 µg/m³ from January to September 28, 2026. This was jointly the lowest average recorded for the corresponding period since 2022, matching the 69 µg/m³ reported in 2025.
The average PM2.5 concentration was 81 µg/m³ in 2024, 73 µg/m³ in 2023, and 80 µg/m³ in 2022.
CAQM to Step Up Pollution Control Efforts
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said it is working with various stakeholders on measures to prevent, control, and reduce air pollution across Delhi-NCR.
The efforts will be further intensified in the coming days, with the objective of improving the region’s overall air quality.
Also Read
Delhi PM Surya Ghar: Rooftop Solar Registrations Open, Subsidy Up to ₹1.56 Lakh
