Delhi air quality deteriorated at its slowest pace in seven years during the seasonal transition from September to October 2026, while Mumbai’s average air quality index more than doubled over the same comparison periods.

Key Takeaways

  • Delhi’s average AQI rose 48.5% between the periods studied, below its six-year average increase of 75.8%.
  • Mumbai’s average AQI rose 105.1%, above its corresponding six-year average of 76.2%.
  • Delhi-NCR activated Stage 1 pollution restrictions on October 21, including limits on certain fuel and generator uses.

Delhi air quality comparison

The analysis compared average AQI readings for September 16–30 and October 1–25 in each year from 2020 through 2026. It covered 11 major Indian cities; Bengaluru and Kolkata also recorded increases above their respective six-year averages.

The percentage changes measure how quickly AQI readings rose between the two periods. They do not, by themselves, establish which city had cleaner air in absolute terms.

Latest readings and restrictions

At 7 a.m. on October 26, Delhi’s AQI was 164, in the moderate category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Of 60 monitoring stations, 55 were reporting data, with PM2.5 the leading pollutant at 30 stations. Jahangirpuri had the highest station reading at 246.

Official data put Mumbai’s average AQI at 124, also in the moderate category. Private sensors using the US AQI scale showed an average of 172; those readings use a different scale from the official figures.

The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR on October 21. The measures prohibit coal and firewood in tandoors at hotels, restaurants and open-air eateries and restrict diesel generator use to essential or emergency purposes.

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