CAQM Revokes GRAP Stage II in Delhi-NCR

23 Feb 2026 CW Team

The Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) revoked all Stage-II actions across the entire National Capital Region with immediate effect after noting a consistent improvement in Delhi's daily average air quality index. The measure followed the invocation of Stage-II on 19 October 2025 when the average index began to exhibit an increasing trend. The Sub-Committee emphasised that monitoring arrangements would remain active to guard against any reversal.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed a downward trend in the daily average air quality index for Delhi, with readings of 261 on 16 February 2026, 249 on 17 February 2026 and 214 on 18 February 2026 at four pm. The bulletin from the CPCB was a principal input in the Sub-Committee's evaluation of prevailing conditions.

During its review the Sub-Committee considered forecasts of meteorological conditions and air quality prepared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), and noted that favourable weather had contributed to the observed improvement. The forecasts indicated that the index was likely to remain in the poor to moderate category in the coming days, and the Sub-Committee accordingly decided to revoke all actions under Stage-II.

Measures under Stage-I of the GRAP will continue to remain in force and were to be implemented, monitored and reviewed by concerned agencies listed in the extant GRAP to ensure that air quality levels do not deteriorate. Implementing agencies were directed to maintain strict vigil and intensify measures under Stage-I. The Sub-Committee will continue to closely monitor the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time.

Infrastructure Urban

23 Feb 2026

Modi Meets Finnish Prime Minister On Margins Of AI Summit

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met with His Excellency Mr Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland (the Finnish Prime Minister), in New Delhi on 18 February 2026 on the margins of the artificial intelligence (AI) Impact Summit. The meeting brought together leaders to discuss bilateral cooperation across technology and sustainability. The two leaders reviewed recent developments in India-European Union relations and bilateral ties. Both leaders welcomed the recent conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (India-EU FTA) at the 16th India-European Union Summit..

Prime Minister to Inaugurate India AI Impact Summit 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 19 February at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, having welcomed participating world leaders at the venue on the evening of 18 February and scheduled bilateral meetings on the sidelines. The opening ceremony is scheduled for around 9:40 am and will feature addresses from the President of France, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and senior industry leaders. The programme aims to set the tone for national and international collaboration on artificial intelligence. At around 11 am the Prime Minister will visit ..

India And Germany Reaffirm Telecom And Digital Cooperation

India and Germany reaffirmed cooperation in telecommunications and digital transformation after a bilateral meeting on 18 February 2026 at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi between the Union Minister of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region and the German Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernization. The meeting followed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent on 10 January 2026 during the India?Germany Summit and was presented as a non?binding framework for structured collaboration. The Indian minister outlined India’s digital transformation, ..