Delhi Logs Best September Air Quality in Five Years at AQI 102

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reported on 30 September 2026 that Delhi has recorded its lowest monthly average Air Quality Index for September in five years. The comparison runs over the Septembers of 2022 to 2026, and the ministry reads the figures as a continuing improvement in the air of Delhi and the National Capital Region.

The September reading

Delhi averaged an AQI of 102 through September 2026. The same month stood at 105 in 2025, 105 in 2024, 108 in 2023 and 104 in 2022. An AQI in the low hundreds falls in the moderate band, so the improvement is one of degree rather than a move into clean air.

Days counted from January to September

Three counts for the nine months from January to September were placed alongside the monthly average.

The 194 moderate days are the highest in the five-year run, against 187 in 2025, 188 in 2024, 193 in 2023 and 146 in 2022. The 79 poor to severe-plus days are the fewest, against 86 in both 2025 and 2024, 80 in 2023 and 127 in 2022.

The particulate figure

Average PM2.5 for January to September, measured up to 28 September 2026, was 69 microgram per cubic metre. That ties the lowest in the period since 2022, since 2025 also gave 69, while 2024 stood at 81, 2023 at 73 and 2022 at 80. PM2.5 is the fine particulate matter of diameter up to 2.5 micrometre that lodges deep in the lungs, which is why it is tracked separately from the composite index.

Who does the work

The Commission for Air Quality Management, known as CAQM, is the statutory body for the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, and the ministry said it is working with the agencies concerned on prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. Those efforts are to be stepped up as the winter months arrive, when stubble burning and cold, still air usually push the index into the higher bands.