NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality has shown a marked improvement in 2026, with the capital recording its lowest September average AQI in five years, according to data released by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
The city recorded a monthly average AQI of 102 in September 2026, compared with 105 in both 2025 and 2024, 108 in 2023 and 104 in 2022.
The improvement is also visible in the broader January-September period. Delhi recorded 194 days with a daily average AQI below 200, classified as the ‘Moderate’ category, the highest number for the corresponding period in the last five years.
In comparison, Delhi recorded 187 such days in 2025, 188 in 2024, 193 in 2023 and just 146 in 2022.
Sharp fall in Poor to Severe plus days
The number of days when Delhi’s air remained in the ‘Poor’ to ‘Severe+’ categories also fell to its lowest level in five years. From January to September 2026, the capital recorded 79 such days, compared with 86 each in 2025 and 2024, 80 in 2023 and a significantly higher 127 in 2022.
The figures indicate fewer days of prolonged exposure to the most polluted air-quality categories during the first nine months of this year.
PM2.5 levels remain at five-year low
Fine particulate pollution has also remained comparatively lower. Delhi’s average PM2.5 concentration stood at 69 micrograms per cubic metre from January 1 to September 28, 2026. This was the same as the figure recorded during the corresponding period in 2025 and lower than 81 µg/m³ in 2024, 73 µg/m³ in 2023 and 80 µg/m³ in 2022.
PM2.5 particles are among the most closely monitored pollutants because their small size allows them to penetrate deep into the respiratory system.
CAQM vows to intensify pollution-control measures
The CAQM attributed the continuing improvement to efforts involving multiple stakeholders across Delhi-NCR and said measures for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution would be intensified.
The Commission said it would continue working with concerned agencies to improve air quality in the region in the coming months.
The improvement comes ahead of the period when Delhi-NCR traditionally faces heightened pollution pressures, particularly during the autumn and winter months. The latest figures, however, provide a measurable indication that the capital’s air quality during the first nine months of 2026 has remained better across several key indicators than in most of the previous five years.
While the data shows a clear year-on-year and five-year improvement in several indicators, Delhi’s September average AQI of 102 still falls within the ‘Moderate’ category, underscoring that significant air-quality challenges remain.
