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CAQM Keeps GRAP Stage III on Hold as Delhi’s Air Quality Hits Season High

Officials held off stricter curbs after forecasts indicated conditions would remain in the very poor range rather than persistently severe.

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Citizens protest against what they called the government's lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital city New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A protester shows the present AQI or Air Quality Index during a protest against what they called the government's lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital city New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Overview

  • Delhi-NCR recorded a season-high AQI near 391 on Sunday with 24 of 39 stations crossing 400, before marginal improvement to roughly 345–346 on Monday morning.
  • CAQM reviewed the spike and decided not to invoke GRAP Stage III, saying Stages I–II will continue as models from IMD and IITM project very poor air in the coming days.
  • Parents, residents and activists protested at India Gate demanding stronger action and transparency; police detained demonstrators, citing Jantar Mantar as the designated protest site.
  • Doctors reported a 20–30% rise in respiratory cases, with hospitals noting more visits for cough, breathlessness and asthma exacerbations during the smog episode.
  • Public trust in monitoring eroded as private devices showed higher readings and reports flagged faulty or inconsistent government monitors, while a LocalCircles poll found most respondents lack confidence in GRAP enforcement.