Air quality worsens in Delhi, AQI settles in ‘severe’ zone
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Pollution (air, water, plastic)· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Central Pollution Control Board reported Delhi's AQI reached 459, leading the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage-IV actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Background
On December 14, 2025, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 459, placing it in the 'severe' category. The CAQM invoked Stage-IV actions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to mitigate pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.
Facts for Prelims
- FactDelhi AQI reached 459 on December 14, 2025
- BodyCentral Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors air quality levels
- BodyCommission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) oversees air quality in Delhi-NCR
- SchemeGraded Response Action Plan (GRAP) includes Stage-IV actions for severe pollution
For Mains
Q. Critically analyze the effectiveness of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in managing seasonal air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Institutional bottleneck: Coordination challenges between Delhi and neighboring states in NCR
- Enforcement gap: Difficulty in monitoring industrial and construction emissions in real-time
- Policy trade-off: Balancing educational continuity with health risks during severe AQI episodes
Keywords: Air Quality Index · Graded Response Action Plan · Inter-state coordination · Environmental governance · Public health
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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.