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Delhi's Air: Only 5 Days Safe by WHO Standards in 2025
20 Jan
Summary
- Delhi met PM2.5 standards on only 43% of days in 2025.
- WHO safe PM2.5 guideline was met on just five days in 2025.
- Winter months were most polluted, with no days meeting standards.
In 2025, Delhi experienced concerning air quality, meeting the national PM2.5 standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre on only 156 days, a mere 43% of the year. The World Health Organization's stricter guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic metre was met on just five days. Similarly, PM10 levels frequently exceeded national limits, with the safe standard met on only nine days.
Favorable meteorological conditions, particularly during the monsoon months of July and August, provided the cleanest air, with PM2.5 levels below the national standard. However, winter brought severe pollution, with January and November recording no days that met the PM2.5 standard. December saw a slight improvement due to strong winds, allowing four days below the national threshold.
Experts emphasize the need to cut emissions at the source, as pollution levels often exceed the region's carrying capacity. While nitrogen dioxide levels remained below the national standard for most of the year, they spiked in November and December. Addressing air quality requires strict emission controls and cleaner fuel usage.
