It's a grim deja vu for Delhi every year. A post-Diwali morning shrouded in thick, toxic haze. Every year the air quality in the national capital nosedives after the festival of lights, but this year’s levels have been especially alarming. Watch this video to find out more.


Delhi leads in India's toxic air amid festivities

New Delhi continues to record the worst air quality among India’s metro cities. The toxic air has been worsened by post-Diwali firecracker pollution and ongoing stubble burning in neighboring states. Residents are facing severe health risks as the air quality index remains in the ‘hazardous’ category.


India: Two days after Diwali, Delhi's AQI continues to deteriorate 

New Delhi: AQI remains in 'very poor' category in the capital post-Diwali

#Gravitas | Just hours after Diwali celebrations ended, residents of New Delhi woke up to a toxic haze blanketing the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to an alarming 999 in several areas — far beyond the “hazardous” level. Firecrackers, stubble burning, and low wind speeds have once again turned Delhi’s air into a health emergency. How bad is the situation? Who’s responsible? And will anything change? Watch our full report from the ground.

Delhi’s Post-Diwali Air Turns Poisonous, AQI Hits 999 in Parts of City

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated on Tuesday morning after a large number of people in the national capital region or NCR celebrated Diwali with firecrackers on Monday night. Thirty-three out of 36 monitoring stations recorded pollution levels in the ‘red zone’, indicating ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ air quality across the national capital.


 India: Delhi NCR wakes to toxic smog, AQI hits hazardous levels

India: Delhi NCR wakes to toxic smog, AQI plummets a day after Diwali

India’s national capital, Delhi, woke up to a blanket of toxic smog as air quality dipped to hazardous levels post-Diwali. The government has now enforced GRAP Stage II (Graded Response Action Plan) in Delhi-NCR to combat worsening pollution. Schools, traffic, and public health are likely to be impacted. Watch for the latest updates on AQI levels, government action, and public response.

India: Delhi Wakes to Toxic Smog | GRAP Stage II Now Active| WION

Fireworks, stubble burning, and cool weather combined to push the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the “severe” category in many parts of the city.
Despite a ban on firecrackers, celebrations continued, leaving the capital blanketed in toxic smog.


Delhi’s Air Turns Hazardous: Fireworks, Stubble Burning Worsen Pollution Post-Diwali

The Air Quality Index (AQI) around India Gate was recorded at 269, in the 'Poor' category, in Delhi this morning as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).


India: AQI slips to 'severe' category, Delhi government deploys water sprinklers 

Delhi-NCR and its adjoining areas made it to the list of the cities with the worst air quality today as they logged quite high on the AQI scale. While the AQI in Ghaziabad was recorded at 306 (very poor), it was 278 (very poor) in Manesar, Noida and Rohtak and Hanumangarh and 266 (poor) in Gurugram.


Delhi: Peak festive rush drives vehicular traffic, worsens air quality

The air quality in India’s National Capital has taken a sharp dip, prompting authorities to announce Grap-1 curbs to tackle pollution levels.


India: Air Quality Dips, Grap-1 Curbs Announced in National Capital | CLIMATE TRACKER 

The 2025 World Air Quality Report by IQAir has not been published yet. However, real-time rankings of the most polluted major cities are currently shown on the IQAir website. 

Real-time: Top 10 most polluted cities in the world with the worst AQI in 2025

The AQI of Gurugram deteriorated alarmingly on June 19, recording very poor at 333 compared to the relatively satisfactory quality of Delhi.

Not Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru- find out this Indian city with alarming poor air quality

India News: Citizens have also been requested to strictly adhere to the citizen charter under GRAP Stage-III. All implementing agencies have been asked to keep strict vigil and intensify measures of the extant schedule of GRAP. 

India: Delhi’s AQI reaches ‘severe’ category, CAQM implements Stage-III GRAP measures

India news | The AQI rose sharply on Wednesday to 386 from 275 a day earlier as dense fog enveloped the city, leading to “extremely low mixing height and ventilation coefficient.”

GRAP-4 restrictions back in Delhi amid soaring AQI: Check what’s allowed and prohibited

Delhi's air quality improved significantly following continuous rainfall, providing relief from toxic pollution. In response, the Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR air quality lifted stringent stage 3 GRAP pollution curbs in the capital and surrounding areas, effective immediately. However, stage 2 GRAP restrictions remain in effect across the region. Watch in for more details!

India: Delhi Pollution Curbs Eased To GRAP 2

The passengers on the ill-fated private boat that capsized Wednesday (Dec 18) off the Mumbai coast were not provided life jackets, which led to the tragic death of at least 13 people.

Morning news brief: Mumbai boat tragedy update; Delhi AQI soars to 423, and more

Good morning! Start your day with WION's daily news brief. 



According to the latest Lancet study, No one in India lives in areas where the pollution levels are below the recommended level by the World Health Organization. Further, the high levels of pm 2.5 have been associated with 1.5 million deaths a year.

No Indian City Meets Air Quality Standards | WION Climate Tracker | World News

In a major relief for New Delhi, the Supreme Court has eased GRAP-IV (Stage IV) restrictions due to improved air quality. The Court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reduce these measures to GRAP-II (Stage II) but restrained any further relaxation.

Supreme Court lifts GRAP-IV restrictions as Delhi’s AQI drops to 'Moderate'

Delhi's air pollution crisis has reached alarming levels, with air quality consistently falling into the "very poor" and "severe" categories. The ongoing environmental disaster has triggered the implementation of the graded response action plan or grap-4, which enforces stringent restrictions to mitigate the pollution. These measures include curbs on commercial vehicle movement, halting construction activities, and reducing outdoor events.

Delhi: Air Pollution Wreaks Havoc In Peak Tourist Season In National Capital | World News | WION

Delhi’s air quality showed signs of improvement over the weekend. On Sunday (Dec. 1), the city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 285, falling within the ‘poor’ range.

Delhi's air quality improves slightly, but still in ‘poor’ category

Delhi's pollution levels have somewhat dropped, providing a little reprieve for the Indian metropolis. The air quality is now approaching the 'bad' category, which is close to the 300 threshold. Delhi's air quality index was reported at 301 this morning, down from 343 yesterday morning, according to statistics from the Central Pollution Control Board. To learn more, watch!

Delhi AQI Recorded At 301 on Wednesday Morning

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Delhi leads in India's toxic air amid festivities

India: Two days after Diwali, Delhi's AQI continues to deteriorate

New Delhi: AQI remains in 'very poor' category in the capital post-Diwali

Delhi’s Post-Diwali Air Turns Poisonous, AQI Hits 999 in Parts of City

India: Delhi NCR wakes to toxic smog, AQI hits hazardous levels

India: Delhi NCR wakes to toxic smog, AQI plummets a day after Diwali

India: Delhi Wakes to Toxic Smog | GRAP Stage II Now Active| WION

Delhi’s Air Turns Hazardous: Fireworks, Stubble Burning Worsen Pollution Post-Diwali

India: AQI slips to 'severe' category, Delhi government deploys water sprinklers

Delhi: Peak festive rush drives vehicular traffic, worsens air quality

India: Air Quality Dips, Grap-1 Curbs Announced in National Capital | CLIMATE TRACKER

Real-time: Top 10 most polluted cities in the world with the worst AQI in 2025

Find out this Indian city with alarming poor air quality

India: Delhi’s AQI reaches ‘severe’ category, CAQM implements Stage-III GRAP measures

GRAP-4 restrictions back in Delhi amid soaring AQI: Check what’s allowed and prohibited

India: Delhi Pollution Curbs Eased To GRAP 2

India: Delhi Pollution Curbs Eased To GRAP 2

Morning news brief: Mumbai boat tragedy update; Delhi AQI soars to 423, and more

Morning news brief: Mumbai boat tragedy update; Delhi AQI soars to 423, and more

No Indian City Meets Air Quality Standards | WION Climate Tracker | World News

Supreme Court lifts GRAP-IV restrictions as Delhi’s AQI drops to 'Moderate'

Delhi: Air Pollution Wreaks Havoc In Peak Tourist Season In National Capital | World News | WION

Delhi's air quality improves slightly, but still in ‘poor’ category

Delhi AQI Recorded At 301 on Wednesday Morning