CAQM Revokes Stage I Of GRAP Across NCR After AQI Improves

02 Jun 2026 CW Team

Forecasts supplied by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IMD/IITM) indicated that the AQI was likely to remain in the Moderate category in the coming days. The Sub-Committee had originally invoked Stage-I on 19 May 2026 when the average AQI of Delhi began to trend upwards. The Committee reconvened to assess meteorological inputs and projections from IMD/IITM.

While reviewing overall air quality parameters across Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee noted that strong winds accompanied by light rain had contributed to the observed improvement, with the AQI recorded at 123 at four pm on 29 May 2026. The group observed these conditions alongside modelled forecasts before agreeing to lift Stage-I measures. The decision was unanimous.

All agencies of the concerned state governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) within the NCR have been advised to ensure strict implementation of statutory directions, advisories and orders issued by the Commission and by other authorities. These include rules, regulations and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the respective state pollution control boards and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The Sub-Committee emphasised that continued adherence across contributing sectors is necessary to sustain improved AQI levels and prevent a return to the Poor category.

The Sub-Committee will periodically review conditions and take further decisions as warranted. Agencies were instructed to remain prepared to reinstate measures should air quality deteriorate.

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The Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) revoked all actions under Stage-I of the extant GRAP schedule across the NCR with immediate effect after a notable improvement in Delhi's air quality. The decision followed a fall in the citywide daily average air quality index from 207 on 28 May 2026 to 123 on 29 May 2026. The Sub-Committee reviewed measurements and regional conditions before taking the step. Forecasts supplied by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IMD/IITM) indicated that the AQI was likely to remain in the Moderate category in the coming days. The Sub-Committee had originally invoked Stage-I on 19 May 2026 when the average AQI of Delhi began to trend upwards. The Committee reconvened to assess meteorological inputs and projections from IMD/IITM. While reviewing overall air quality parameters across Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee noted that strong winds accompanied by light rain had contributed to the observed improvement, with the AQI recorded at 123 at four pm on 29 May 2026. The group observed these conditions alongside modelled forecasts before agreeing to lift Stage-I measures. The decision was unanimous. All agencies of the concerned state governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) within the NCR have been advised to ensure strict implementation of statutory directions, advisories and orders issued by the Commission and by other authorities. These include rules, regulations and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the respective state pollution control boards and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The Sub-Committee emphasised that continued adherence across contributing sectors is necessary to sustain improved AQI levels and prevent a return to the Poor category. The Sub-Committee will periodically review conditions and take further decisions as warranted. Agencies were instructed to remain prepared to reinstate measures should air quality deteriorate.

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