Delhi Records Lowest January-May AQI in Eight Years

Delhi recorded its lowest average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the January-to-May period in eight years, excluding the pandemic-affected year of 2020. According to official data released by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the improvement marks the cleanest start to a year for the capital city since 2018.

Data released by the CAQM showed that the city's average AQI between January and May 2026 stood at 211. This is a notable decrease from previous years, indicating a significant improvement in overall air quality.

In comparison, the average AQI for the same five-month period in preceding years was consistently higher. The average AQI was 214 in 2025, 231 in 2024, and 213 in 2023. Going further back, the average AQI was recorded at 238 in 2022, 235 in 2021, 237 in 2019, and 243 in 2018. The only year in this eight-year span with a lower average AQI was 2020, when pandemic-induced restrictions and lockdowns led to an average AQI of 181.

In a public post on the social media platform X, the CAQM also highlighted the number of favorable air quality days. Delhi recorded 75 "Good to Moderate" AQI days during the January-to-May period of 2026.

This count of 75 clean air days matches the number recorded during the same period in 2024. However, it represents an improvement over other recent years. Delhi registered 70 "Good to Moderate" days in 2025, 74 in 2023, 37 in 2022, 59 in 2021, and 59 in 2019. During the 2020 pandemic period, the city recorded 98 "Good to Moderate" days.

The new data highlights a positive trend in the region's air quality compared to the historical averages of the last eight years.