Supreme Court identifies vehicular emissions as major contributor to Delhi-NCR air pollution
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Pollution (air, water, plastic)· Prelims + Mains·
Air quality management and judicial activism: a GS3 Environment and Governance case study.
Why in news
The Supreme Court identified vehicular emissions as a major contributor to Delhi-NCR air pollution while noting the AQI reached 400.
Background
A Bench including Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that 'bumper-to-bumper' traffic contributes significantly to pollution. The court noted that stubble burning accounts for 14% of the pollution in the region.
Facts for Prelims
- FactAQI reached 400 in Delhi-NCR as of November 6, 2026
- FactStubble burning accounts for 14% of pollution in the region
- PlaceDelhi-NCR
Prelims practice question
What percentage of the pollution in the Delhi-NCR region is attributed to stubble burning?
- (a)14%
- (b)30%
- (c)10%
- (d)25%
Show answer
Answer: (a) 14% — The Supreme Court noted that stubble burning accounts for 14% of the pollution in the region.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the multi-sectoral challenges in mitigating vehicular emissions and stubble burning to ensure breathable air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory friction: Balancing industrial/agricultural output with stringent emission standards
- Infrastructure gap: Inadequate public transport and traffic management systems in NCR
- Inter-state coordination: Challenges in enforcing stubble burning bans across neighboring states
Keywords: Air Quality Index (AQI) · Vehicular Emissions · Stubble Burning · Judicial Activism · Environmental Governance
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.