Delhi's Air: Official vs. Real Pollution Levels

Delhi's air quality index (AQI) registered in the 'severe' category on November 9, 2026, following Diwali festivities, despite official readings being capped at 500. Private monitoring platforms reported significantly higher AQI values, attributing the discrepancy to differences in calculation scales and thresholds compared to India's official index. These higher readings reflect the severity of pollution, with fine particles like PM2.5 capable of entering the bloodstream and causing serious health problems.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR is activated based on AQI levels, implementing a series of restrictions to combat worsening air quality. As of November 6, 2026, Stage III measures were in effect, including curbs on construction and certain vehicle types. China's experience in tackling air pollution through emission controls and cleaner energy offers potential lessons, though direct replication is complex due to differing governance and pollution sources.