Air quality slips to ‘poor’ category in Delhi, parts of north India

The air quality of Delhi slipped into the “poor” category on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) morning, after remaining relatively better over the last three-four days, according to official data.

Several other cities in north India, including Meerut, Noida, Ghaziabad also witnessed “poor” air quality, while Panipat reeled under “very poor” level air pollution on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) morning.

Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 232 (poor) at 9 a.m. on Wednesday (October 28, 2026), as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

The city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 197 (moderate) at 4 p.m. on Tuesday (October 27, 2026), slightly up from 174 (moderate) on Monday (October 26, 2026), the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily bulletin, which is treated as the day’s AQI.

A higher AQI indicates worsening air quality.

Delhi’s air quality is likely to improve over the next two days.

“The air quality is likely to remian in the “poor” category from 28.10.2026, before improving to the “moderate” category from 29.10.2026 to 30.10.2026. The outlook for the subsequent 6 Days indicates that air quality is likely to fluctuate between the “moderate” to “poor” categories,” according to the Central government’s ‘Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi’.

Every winter, air pollution spikes in Delhi-NCR and many parts of the larger Indo-Gangetic Plains mainly due to meteorological factors such as lower wind speeds and a drop in temperature. Also, pollution from stubble burning during October and November and bursting of firecrackers during the festive season add to existing pollution from vehicles and dust, worsening the air quality.