Delhi Records Best January-May Air Quality in Eight Years, Says CAQM

Delhi's average air quality between January and May 2026 has improved to its best level in eight years, excluding the pandemic-hit year of 2020, according to data released by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday.

The capital recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 211 during the first five months of 2026, marginally better than the corresponding figure of 214 in 2025 and significantly lower than 231 in 2024 and 238 in 2022. The only year with a lower average AQI was 2020, when strict COVID-19 lockdown measures led to an unprecedented reduction in pollution levels.

The CAQM also highlighted an increase in the number of relatively cleaner days. Delhi registered 75 "Good to Moderate" AQI days between January and May this year, matching the figure recorded in 2024 and surpassing most years in the eight-year period under review. By comparison, the city recorded 70 such days in 2025, 74 in 2023, and just 37 in 2022.

The month of May 2026 emerged as a particularly encouraging period , with an average AQI of 157. According to the commission, this was the lowest May AQI recorded in the last eight years, excluding 2020 and 2021. The corresponding figures stood at 170 in 2025, 223 in 2024, 171 in 2023, and 212 in 2022.

While Delhi's air quality continues to remain a major public health concern, the latest data points to a gradual improvement in pollution levels over recent years. Authorities have attributed gains to a combination of stricter emission controls, better coordination among agencies, and targeted interventions across the National Capital Region.

Environmental experts caution that sustained efforts will be necessary to maintain and accelerate this progress. Nevertheless, Delhi's improving AQI offers a rare positive environmental story worth examining closely , particularly as Indian cities continue to grapple with severe air pollution and its health impacts.