Delhi recorded a significant improvement in its air quality in 2025, marking its best performance in the last eight years, according to Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Speaking on Thursday, the minister highlighted that the national capital witnessed a noticeable decline in major air pollution indicators, reflecting the effectiveness of sustained and science-based pollution control measures undertaken by the Delhi government.
According to the data shared by Sirsa, the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — one of the most harmful pollutants due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs — dropped from 104 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024 to 96 micrograms per cubic metre in 2025. Similarly, PM10 levels, which measure coarser particulate matter often linked to dust and construction activity, fell from 212 micrograms per cubic metre to 197 micrograms per cubic metre during the same period. These improvements indicate a consistent downward trend in pollution levels across the city.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to public health, Sirsa stated that clean air was made a top priority after the government assumed office. He said that the improved air quality was a direct outcome of policy decisions rooted in scientific research and data-driven strategies. “The people of Delhi gave us the mandate to serve them, and ensuring cleaner air became our foremost promise. The record number of good AQI days in 2025 proves that a science-led approach can deliver real and measurable results,” he said.
An official statement released by the Delhi government further elaborated on the achievement, noting that the city recorded nearly 200 days in 2025 when the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained below 200. This represents an improvement of about 15 per cent compared to the average of the previous four years. Out of these days, 79 fell within the ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ categories, offering residents extended periods of relatively cleaner air.
The statement also revealed that the average AQI between January and November 2025 stood at 187, making it the best annual average recorded in eight years, excluding the exceptional year of 2020 when Covid-19 lockdowns significantly reduced industrial activity and vehicular movement. For context, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorises AQI levels between 0 and 50 as ‘good’, 51 to 100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 as ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 as ‘poor’, 301 to 400 as ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘severe’.
Another notable achievement highlighted in the statement was the sharp reduction in the number of ‘severe’ pollution days. In 2025, Delhi experienced only eight days of severe air pollution, the lowest in recent years. This decline, officials said, reflects the impact of targeted and sustained government interventions across multiple pollution sources.
After taking office in February last year, the Delhi government placed air pollution control at the centre of its policy agenda. It adopted a comprehensive, science-based strategy that simultaneously addressed vehicular emissions, dust pollution, industrial discharge and waste management — all major contributors to poor air quality in the capital.
Dust pollution control was intensified through large-scale mechanised road sweeping, the deployment of anti-smog guns and mist sprayers, and stricter monitoring of construction and demolition sites. These efforts were reinforced through regular compliance surveys and the imposition of penalties on violators. Officials said these measures significantly reduced the amount of dust becoming airborne.
Vehicular pollution, another major concern, was addressed through strict enforcement of emission norms. In the last 24 hours alone, authorities issued over 12,000 challans for pollution-related violations. Since October 1, the cumulative number of challans has crossed 12 lakh, underlining the government’s aggressive stance against polluting vehicles.
To curb industrial pollution, ward-level surveys were conducted in industrial and non-conforming areas to identify violations and ensure compliance with environmental norms. At the same time, waste management systems were strengthened. Garbage lifting frequency was doubled, and the bio-mining of legacy waste at landfill sites was accelerated to reduce emissions from waste decomposition.
The government also explored innovation-driven solutions to supplement enforcement measures. These included cloud seeding trials to induce artificial rainfall and open challenges inviting new pollution-mitigating technologies. Such initiatives were aimed at identifying long-term and scalable solutions to Delhi’s air quality crisis.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Delhi government plans to focus on stricter implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), expand technology pilots, and encourage greater citizen participation. Officials said these steps are crucial to sustaining the gains made so far and ensuring that cleaner air becomes a lasting reality for the people of Delhi.
