Delhi air quality touches ‘severe’ 404 as thick smog envelops Indian cities
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Pollution (air, water, plastic)· Prelims·
Environmental governance and emergency response: a key GS3 case study on air pollution management.
Why in news
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) triggered Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as Delhi's air quality reached a 'severe' level of 404 following Deepavali firecracker usage.
Background
On November 9, 2026, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 404 at 4 a.m. The CAQM activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and adjoining districts.
Part of a topic
📚 Air Quality and Pollution Management · 53 notes →Every note on this topic, the basics and practice questions on one page.
Facts for Prelims
- FactDelhi's air quality reached a 'severe' category of 404 on November 9, 2026.
- BodyCAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) is thebody responsible for triggering the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
- FactMumbai, Lucknow, Chennai, and Hyderabad also recorded 'poor' or worse air quality readings on November 9, 2026.
Prelims practice question
Which body is responsible for triggering the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region?
- (a)Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- (b)Commission for Air Quality Management
- (c)National Green Tribunal
- (d)Central Pollution Control Board
Show answer
Answer: (b) Commission for Air Quality Management — The note states that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is the body responsible for triggering the GRAP.
For Mains
Q. Critically analyze the effectiveness of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in mitigating seasonal air pollution in the National Capital Region.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Institutional friction: Coordination gaps between state governments and central agencies in enforcing Stage III restrictions
- Regulatory loophole: Difficulty in curbing localized firecracker emissions despite seasonal bans
- Infrastructure deficit: Lack of real-time industrial emission monitoring in adjoining districts
Keywords: Air Quality Index · Graded Response Action Plan · Atmospheric pollution · Environmental governance · Public health
More Environment & Ecology notes
- Idukki District Collector orders removal of encroachments after 82 killed by wild elephants · 9 November 2026
- Supreme Court warns of contempt over 39 offline emission monitoring systems during severe pollution · 9 November 2026
- Delhi AQI plunged to 366 as CAQM invokes Stage 3 Graded Response Action Plan · 9 November 2026
- 227 hourly PM2.5 observations missing from 59 stations during peak pollution period · 9 November 2026
- Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh worsens Delhi air quality · 9 November 2026
- New Delhi smog hits "severe" levels as Diwali firecrackers push AQI past 350 · 9 November 2026
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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.