New Delhi: The first quarter of 2025 brought a welcome improvement in Delhi’s air quality, with the city recording its lowest average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the period in five years. According to data released by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday, the average AQI from January to March stood at 231, reflecting a positive shift compared to previous years.
This marked a steady decline in pollution levels, with the AQI recorded at 250 in 2024, 240 in 2023, 241 in 2022, and 278 in 2021. Notably, for the first time in five years, Delhi did not experience a single day where the AQI crossed 400, a threshold categorized as “severe.” In contrast, the city had six such days in 2021, one in 2022, and three in both 2023 and 2024.
The report also highlighted an increase in the number of days with relatively better air quality. In the first three months of 2025, Delhi recorded 36 days with an AQI below 200, indicating “moderate” or “satisfactory” air conditions. This was a notable improvement compared to just 13 such days in 2021, 27 in 2022, 35 in 2023, and 41 in 2024.
CAQM credited the improvement to a combination of favorable weather conditions and sustained pollution control efforts by various government agencies. The panel reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to further reduce pollution levels and enhance air quality in Delhi-NCR.
