AIR POLLUTION IN DELHI DURING DEEPAVALI

10 Nov 2026

Tags: Prelims   Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Hindu

Context: Delhi recorded an extreme spike in PM2.5 pollution during Deepavali (November 8–9, 2026), aggravated by firecrackers and unfavourable winter conditions.

PM2.5 Pollution

• PM2.5: Fine inhalable particles of diameter ≤2.5 micrometres; penetrate lungs and bloodstream.
• Peak concentration:
  • Patparganj: 2,597 µg/m³ (173 times WHO limit).
  • NSUT West Campus: 3,008.4 µg/m³ (200.5 times WHO limit).
• WHO guideline: 15 µg/m³ (24-hour average).
• AQI: Delhi recorded 344 (Very Poor) at 4 p.m. on November 9.

Factors Behind Delhi's Winter Pollution

• Meteorological: Low wind speed, falling temperatures and atmospheric conditions restrict pollutant dispersion.
• Stubble burning: Paddy residue burning in Punjab and Haryana during October–November.
• Firecrackers: Release particulate matter and other harmful pollutants.
• Other sources: Vehicular emissions and road/construction dust.
• Wind direction: Easterly and south-easterly winds helped disperse pollutants and reduced the impact of stubble burning.

Stubble Burning – Recent Data

• Punjab: 1,152 incidents on November 8; highest during the 2026 paddy harvest season.
• Seasonal total: 4,657 incidents till November 9.
• Contribution to Delhi's PM2.5: 5.1% on November 8.

Institutions and Monitoring

• CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board): National-level pollution monitoring and environmental standards; publishes daily AQI bulletins.
• DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee): Monitors pollution and implements pollution-control measures in Delhi.
• SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting Research): Provides air-quality forecasts and source-apportionment information; developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute): Monitors and reports stubble-burning incidents using satellite-based observations.

AQI Categories (India – CPCB)

AQI	Category
0–50	Good
51–100	Satisfactory
101–200	Moderate
201–300	Poor
301–400	Very Poor
401–500	Severe

Additional Prelims Facts

• GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan): Emergency measures to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR, implemented in stages based on AQI.
• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): Statutory body under the CAQM Act, 2021, responsible for coordinating air-pollution management in Delhi-NCR.