New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- According to the CAQM order issued on October 21, 2026, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) increased sharply from 179 on October 20, which falls under the 'Moderate' category, to 244 at 2:00 PM on October 21, placing it in the 'Poor' category. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have also forecast that air quality is likely to remain in the 'Poor' category over the coming days.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP, which reviewed the prevailing air quality conditions and meteorological forecasts. The committee decided to invoke all measures prescribed under Stage-I of the existing GRAP framework with immediate effect acro...