Favourable weather gives city its cleanest Jan-Sept air in 8yrs

Delhi has breathed its cleanest air in nearly a decade through the first nine months of 2025, barring the unusual respite during the Covid lockdowns.

- Aheli Das

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows the city’s air quality index (AQI) between January and September has been better than in any comparable period since at least 2018, offering rare respite in a city where million are accustomed to toxic skies nearly throughout the year.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which released the data on Wednesday, credited both favourable weather conditions and regulatory efforts.

“The improving trend in the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR continues and for the period between January-September this year, Delhi registers its best-ever average AQI during the eight years from 2018 to 2025, excluding 2020,” CAQM said.