Delhi's air quality has improved sharply, with the average AQI reaching 271 in the poor category, down from severe levels in previous days. The Commission for Air Quality Management has revoked stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, though stage III remains in effect. However, forecasts indicate the situation may worsen again in the coming days.
On December 25, 2025, Delhi's average air quality index (AQI) reached 271, falling into the 'poor' category, compared to 412 (severe) on Tuesday. Noida recorded an AQI of 273 (poor), a significant improvement from Tuesday's 426 (severe), while Gurugram was at 236, down from 326. Some areas saw moderate AQI levels, though overall figures varied between 221 and 271 across reports.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), stronger winds aided pollutant dispersion. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported west to south-westerly winds up to 22 kmph, pushing the ventilation index to 9,000 square meters per second. The mixing height rose to around 1,200 meters.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), but stage III remains in effect. Delhi's AQI was last in the 'poor' category on December 10.
However, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecasts the AQI to stay in the 'very poor' category until December 27. Weakening winds, with ventilation dropping to 3,500 square meters per second on December 25 and further to 1,500 on December 26, along with a fog warning, are expected to worsen conditions. The IMD issued a yellow alert for moderate to dense fog from December 26 to 27.
PM2.5 sources include the transport sector at 17.25%, industries at 8.6%. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 22.7 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 10.2 degrees Celsius. Thursday's forecast is a minimum of 6 degrees and maximum of 22 degrees.
