Delhi Logs Best October Air Quality in Eight Years with Average AQI of 166

Key facts

• Delhi recorded an average AQI of 166 for October 2026, the lowest monthly average for October in the last eight years, compared to 223 in 2025 and 269 in 2018.
• Delhi's average AQI for January to October 2026 stood at 167, better than 170 in 2025, though higher than 156 in 2020.
• The average PM2.5 concentration in Delhi for January 1 to October 29, 2026 was 69 µg/m³, the lowest in the period since 2018, compared to 93 µg/m³ in 2018.
• Delhi recorded 220 'Good to Moderate' AQI days (daily average AQI below 200) during January–October 2026, the highest since 2018 except 2020, which had 224 such days.
• Delhi recorded 84 'Poor to Severe+' category days (daily average AQI above 200) during January–October 2026, down from 104 in 2025 and 147 in 2018.
• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is working with stakeholders on measures to prevent, control and abate air pollution and improve air quality in Delhi-NCR.