Delhi records cleanest air in five years during first quarter of 2025
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Delhi experienced its cleanest air in five years during the January-March period of 2025, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) for this quarter was recorded at 231, the lowest since 2021.
The CAQM, responsible for developing air pollution control strategies for the Delhi-NCR region, reported that the improved air quality was a result of favorable weather conditions combined with the sustained efforts of various agencies.
Delhi’s average AQI of 231 in early 2025 marked a significant improvement over previous years. By comparison, the average AQI was 250 in 2024, 240 in 2023, 241 in 2022, and a much higher 278 in 2021.
Moreover, 2025 was the first year in the past five years where the AQI did not exceed 400 on a single day. In previous years, Delhi experienced multiple days with AQI levels above 400: six days in 2021, one in 2022, and three each in 2023 and 2024.
Delhi also witnessed an increase in the number of days with AQI below 200. During the first quarter of 2025, the city enjoyed 36 days with relatively clean air. In comparison, 2021 had just 13 such days, while 2022 recorded 27, 2023 had 35, and 2024 saw 41.
The CAQM attributed this improvement to collaborative efforts by various agencies implementing air quality management strategies along with favorable weather conditions. The agency remains hopeful that continued efforts will further enhance air quality in the coming months.