Air quality worsens to ‘very poor’ category in Delhi, parts of north India

The overall air quality of Delhi worsened to the “very poor” category on Monday (November 2, 2026) morning, according to official data. Image used for representation purpose only.

The overall air quality of Delhi worsened to the “very poor” category on Monday (November 2, 2026) morning, according to official data.

Many other cities and towns in north India, including Noida, Kaithal, and Hapur also witnessed “very poor” air quality, on Monday (November 2, 2026) morning.

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was 310 (very poor) at 8 a.m. on Monday (November 2, 2026), as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

The air quality of Delhi is likely to be in the “poor” to “very poor” category for about five to six days, as per the Central government’s ‘Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi’.

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi stood at 261 (poor) at 4 p.m. on Sunday, up from 117 (moderate) on Saturday, as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily bulletin, which is treated as the day’s AQI.

A higher AQI means worsening of air quality.

Every winter, air pollution spikes in Delhi-NCR and many parts of the larger Indo-Gangetic Plains, mainly due to meteorological factors such as lower wind speeds and a drop in temperature. Also, pollution from stubble burning during October and November and bursting of firecrackers during the festive season add to existing pollution from vehicles and dust, worsening the air quality.

Delhi / New Delhi / weather / environmental pollution