New Delhi, June 1: The air quality in the national capital, Delhi, has shown significant improvement. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reported that the average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the first five months of 2026 is the lowest recorded in the past eight years, excluding the pandemic year of 2020.
According to data shared by CAQM on the social media platform X, the average AQI from January to May 2026 was 211. This is an improvement over previous years: 214 in 2025, 231 in 2024, 213 in 2023, 238 in 2022, 235 in 2021, 237 in 2019, and 243 in 2018. In 2020, the AQI was recorded at 181.
Not only has the air quality improved over the first five months, but May 2026 also saw relatively cleaner air. The average AQI for May 2026 was 157, marking the second-lowest level in the past eight years, excluding 2020 and 2021.
For comparison, the average AQI in May 2025 was 170, in May 2024 it was 223, in May 2023 it was 171, in May 2022 it was 212, in May 2019 it was 221, and in May 2018 it was 217. The AQI for 2020 and 2021 was recorded at 144.
Another positive development for Delhi residents is that there were 75 days classified as ‘Good to Moderate’ AQI in the first five months of 2026. This is an increase from 70 days in 2025, 75 days in 2024, and 74 days in 2023. In contrast, there were only 37 days in 2022, 59 days in 2021, 59 days in 2019, and 44 days in 2018. The year 2020 saw 98 such days.
These figures indicate that efforts to improve air quality in Delhi are yielding results. The consistent rise in ‘Good to Moderate’ AQI days and the decrease in average AQI levels are positive signs for the capital’s air quality.
Leave a Comment