Delhi overtakes Lahore as world’s most polluted city with severe AQI of 403
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Pollution (air, water, plastic)· Prelims + Mains·
Air Quality Index and environmental governance: a key GS3 topic on seasonal pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Why in news
Delhi overtook Lahore as the world's most polluted city on November 13, 2026, with the Central Pollution Control Board reporting a severe AQI of 403.
Background
On November 13, 2026, Delhi's AQI reached 403 according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and 334 according to IQAir. The pollution was driven by winter conditions trapping vehicle emissions, construction dust, and agricultural smoke.
Part of a topic
📚 Air Quality and Pollution Management · 57 notes →Every note on this topic, the basics and practice questions on one page.
Facts for Prelims
- FactDelhi AQI reached 403 (CPCB) and 334 (IQAir) on November 13, 2026
- BodyCentral Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is the official body reporting AQI in India
- PlaceLahore, Pakistan, was the previous most polluted city before Delhi
- FactAn AQI reading up to 50 is considered good with little or no health risk
Prelims practice question
With reference to air quality in India, consider the following statements:
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is the official body for reporting AQI in India.
- Delhi overtook Lahore as the world's most polluted city with an AQI of 403.
- An AQI reading of 100 is considered good with little or no health risk.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)2 only
- (b)1 and 2 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)2 and 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only — Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: An AQI reading up to 50 is considered good.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the geographical and anthropogenic factors contributing to severe seasonal air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and suggest policy measures to mitigate it.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Meteorological trapping: Temperature inversions in winter trapping vehicle emissions and agricultural smoke
- Methodological variance: Discrepancies between international (IQAir) and domestic (CPCB) AQI scales and calculation methods
- Transboundary pollution: Regional impact of agricultural burning and industrial emissions across the India-Pakistan border
Keywords: Air Quality Index · Temperature Inversion · Indo-Gangetic Plain · Anthropogenic Pollution · Smog · Environmental Governance
More Environment & Ecology notes
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- Madras High Court reserves order on NGT ban on constructions near Pallikaranai marshland · 12 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.