India, March 17 -- The Capital on Monday recorded its best air since October last year on the back of light rain and gusty winds, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to lift all pollution control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) for the national capital region.

The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 119 (moderate) at 4 pm on Monday - down from a reading of 175 (moderate) at 4 pm on Sunday. At 11 am, the AQI was 97 (satisfactory), but began to rise through the day as the sun came out. The lead pollutant was Ozone (O3) - a gas formed during high temperatures and under the reaction of sunlight.

This is Delhi's lowest average AQI since October 9, 2025, when it was 99 (satisfactory). ...