• Urban Lab

Dip in farm fires in Dec, Delhi-NCR air quality still worsened, says study

Even as farm fires dropped to negligible levels in December, air pollution across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) increased sharply, a new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has found. The study compares October-November, when farm fires influence air quality, with December, when their impact becomes negligible. It finds that the average PM2.5 concentrations were higher in December than in October and November, when stubble burning was active, pointing to local and regional emission sources and not farm fires, as the main drivers of winter smog.

• Urban Lab

Delhi-NCR wakes to dense fog on Jan 2; CSE says winter smog is now mostly 'homegrown', not stubble smoke

Delhi-NCR began January 2 with partly cloudy skies and moderate fog in many areas, turning dense to very dense in pockets, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of poor visibility through the morning. The cold is also tightening its grip. IMD’s forecast pegs Friday’s temperatures at 16–18°C (max) and 8–10°C (min), after Thursday’s reading hovered around 17.3°C (max) and 10.6°C (min). Fog hits travel plans; airlines warn of disruptions The fog is already spilling into the airport story. Flight operations in Delhi have faced delays and cancellations during the New Year fog spell, and airlines have issued advisories and cancellations to manage passenger load and waiting times. IndiGo, for instance, said it had cancelled some flights in advance amid low visibility conditions, asking passengers to check updates and offering assistance at the airport. The bigger worry: winter smog rising even without farm fires Here’s the uncomfortable twist: even as farm fires dropped to negligible levels in December, Delhi’s particulate pollution rose. A new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that average PM2.5 concentrations were higher in December than in October–November, despite the farm-fire contribution falling sharply. The implication is blunt: local and regional sources, vehicles, industry, waste burning and household fuels, are doing most of the damage in core winter. CSE’s point is not “stubble doesn’t matter.” It’s that when stubble stops, Delhi doesn’t clear—it often gets worse, because the city’s own emissions meet cold air, weak winds and inversion-like winter conditions. Delhi govt says 2025 was the “best AQI in eight years” In parallel, Delhi’s government has claimed it made measurable gains in 2025, citing more “good AQI” days and fewer extreme pollution episodes. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has pitched 2025 as Delhi’s best air quality stretch in eight years, crediting tighter enforcement across dust, vehicles, industry and waste.

• Sustainable Food Systems

RISING CASES OF FOOD POISONING

Across the country, incidents of deaths after meals are now common. Since the causes of many of these deaths were never accurately determined, it is becoming increasingly clear that the way some foods are being processed poses serious health risks, especially to vital organs and the immune system. The most endangered are people already malnourished as they lack the proper mix of amino acids that are vital ingredients in detoxifying some of the poisons. Perhaps more disturbing is that most of these fatal incidents are never investigated by health authorities to ascertain their causes so that lessons can be learnt. When five siblings in Anambra State recently died from suspected food poisoning, we called for a thorough investigation but up till now, there has been no report. The children reportedly ate a meal prepared by their mother before they started experiencing stomach aches, vomiting, and other symptoms, which worsened over time and were rushed to the hospital where they all died. Their mother, who also ate from the same meal, was said to be in critical condition at the time. On the average, contaminated amala, rice, beans, biscuits, and others lead to more than 30,000 deaths in a year. The issue of food safety has for several years posed a daunting challenge in Nigeria hence an urgent need for strict compliance with laws on food preservation. For instance, experts have identified improper use of agro chemicals and pesticides to control pests on grains as one of the causes of the rising cases of food poisoning in Nigeria. Last year, the University of Ibadan released report of a study which revealed that over 50 per cent of pregnant women in some rural areas had detectable levels of pesticides in their blood. Jointly conducted by the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the report reveals the adverse effects of chemical poisoning cases especially concerning food-borne diseases with their attendant social, economic and health costs. The consumption of food grains that have been laced with pesticides by vendors to preserve their shelf life and protect them from destruction by pests puts many people at risk of gastro-intestinal disorders and some types of cancers. Given the alarming rate at which people, including sometimes a whole family, eat certain food and then die, there is an urgent need for public enlightenment on the danger associated with some of the food items we consume. Nigerians must also be made to understand that certain food can be dangerous if not properly processed. For instance, it is important that there be a campaign on cassava-based dishes which are widely consumed in Nigeria, where it is a major source of carbohydrates. They are by far the commonest meals, with popular appeal to the poor. But cassava has one major drawback: When poorly processed, the roots and leaves contain a substance named Linamarin which when eaten is converted to cyanide, a poisonous gas which could be fatal when inhaled or ingested. The processing of cassava often employed by the traditional methods and rural women is said to be good enough to effectively contain the toxic content found in cassava, whether of the sweet or bitter variety. But these days, many producers adopt short-cut processing techniques, which turn out to endanger lives. In some cases, particularly those with high cyanide levels, mere exposure to volatile substances while being processed can cause some health disorders. The poor preparation of cassava meals, according to experts, can leave enough of this poisonous substance to cause acute intoxication, goitre and in some cases death.

• Urban Lab

दिल्ली में घने कोहरे की चादर बिछी, AQI 'बहुत खराब' हुआ, ठंड की लहर और बढ़ी, फ्लाइट्स में रुकावट की संभावना

बड़ी चिंता: बिना पराली जलाने के भी सर्दियों में स्मॉग बढ़ रहा है यहां एक परेशान करने वाला मोड़ है: दिसंबर में पराली जलाने की घटनाएं न के बराबर होने के बावजूद, दिल्ली में पार्टिकुलेट प्रदूषण बढ़ गया। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) के एक नए एनालिसिस में पाया गया कि अक्टूबर-नवंबर की तुलना में दिसंबर में औसत PM2.5 कंसंट्रेशन ज़्यादा था, जबकि पराली जलाने का योगदान तेज़ी से कम हुआ था। इसका मतलब साफ है: स्थानीय और क्षेत्रीय स्रोत, वाहन, इंडस्ट्री, कचरा जलाना और घरेलू ईंधन, सर्दियों में सबसे ज़्यादा नुकसान पहुंचा रहे हैं। CSE का कहना यह नहीं है कि "पराली जलाने से कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ता।" बल्कि यह है कि जब पराली जलाना बंद हो जाता है, तो दिल्ली साफ नहीं होती - बल्कि अक्सर स्थिति और खराब हो जाती है, क्योंकि शहर का अपना उत्सर्जन ठंडी हवा, कम हवा और इनवर्जन जैसी सर्दियों की स्थितियों से मिलता है।

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

तीन दिन पहले बताएगा हवा खराब होने वाली है

प्रदेश में बारिश की तरह अब हवा खराब होने की भी चेतावनी मिलेगी। इसके लिए प्रदेश में अर्ली वॉर्निंग सिस्टम तैयार किया गया है, जो नए साल में अलवर, भिवाड़ी में काम शुरू कर देगा। यह सिस्टम वहां के उद्योगों, कारखानों से निकलने वाले धुएं से बिगड़ते एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स (एक्यूआई) की 3 दिन पहले जानकारी दे देगा। पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल बोर्ड ने यह सिस्टम आईआईटीएम पुणे की मदद से करीब 1 करोड़ में बनवाया है। यह सिस्टम मौसम विभाग और एयर क्वालिटी स्टेशनों के डेटा का एनालिसिस कर एक्यूआई लेवल की एडवांस जानकारी देता है। ​ डिसीजन सपोर्ट सिस्टम; कारखानों को कम क्षमता पर चलाने का अलर्ट देगा {यह सिस्टम चालू होने पर एक डिसीजन सपोर्ट सिस्टम बनेगा, जो एक्यूआई बिगड़ने पर कारखानों को सूचना भेजेगा। {कारखाने व फैक्ट्रियां कुछ समय के लिए क्षमता से 75% या 50% पर भी चलाए जा सकेंगे। क्लाइमेट चेंज एडॉप्टेशन प्लान पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल बोर्ड क्लाइमेट चेंज एडॉप्टेशन प्लान भी नए साल में लाएगा। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट की मदद से तैयार हो रहे इस सिस्टम से क्लाइमेट में आ रहे बदलाव से बचाव के तरीके निकालने में मदद मिलेगी।

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0 Launched with GAIL’s Support to Strengthen Youth-Led Climate Action

Hawa Badlo, India’s nationwide movement dedicated to improving air quality through awareness and collective action, successfully concluded the launch of Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0, its flagship student-led environmental campaign. The launch event marked another milestone in the movement’s efforts to empower young citizens to take ownership of India’s clean-air future. The initiative was launched in the presence of Mr. Praveer Kumar Agarwal, Executive Director – Training, GAIL (India) Limited, whose leadership and continued institutional support have played a significant role in strengthening the campaign’s scale and impact. With the sustained backing of GAIL (India) Limited, the campaign once again reinforced the importance of industry participation in nurturing environmental awareness and youth leadership. Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0 invites students from schools across the country to actively engage with issues of air pollution, sustainability, and responsible environmental behaviour. Through essays, illustrations, videos, innovations, and other creative formats, students are encouraged to share ideas and solutions that promote clean air. The campaign positions children not just as learners, but as changemakers who can influence their families, schools, and communities. At its core, the School Warrior initiative continues to serve as a powerful platform for youth empowerment. While young people may not yet directly shape policy, the campaign recognises their critical role in influencing mindsets, everyday behaviours, and future norms. By encouraging meaningful engagement with environmental challenges, Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0 aims to nurture a generation that sees clean air as a fundamental right and a shared responsibility. The launch event also featured an insightful panel discussion that brought together experts, educators, policymakers, and youth voices to reflect on the future of environmental leadership in India. Moderated by Mr. Ajay Pandey, Co-founder, Think Through Consulting, the panel included: Ms. Taru Mehta, Associate Director – Environment Education & Awareness, TERI Ms. Anumita Roychowdhary, Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Ms. Zainab Bie, Climate, Energy & Philanthropy Strategist, United Nations A school student and environment enthusiast, representing youth perspectives The discussion emphasised that environmental education must go beyond textbooks and translate into small, meaningful actions in everyday life. Panelists highlighted that today’s children will shape tomorrow’s world, and early engagement can help India move towards a greener and healthier future. Speakers also shared inspiring examples of young students and entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions for environmental protection, underlining the importance of platforms like Hawa Badlo School Warrior in fostering awareness, creativity, and responsibility from a young age. While creativity and expression remain central to School Warrior 3.0, the campaign also draws attention to the urgency of India’s air-pollution crisis, particularly in urban centres where health risks continue to grow. By engaging students early, Hawa Badlo aims to instil long-term environmental thinking and accountability. Though student-centred, the impact of Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0 extends beyond classrooms to teachers, parents, and local communities. The campaign continues to position School Warrior as a bridge between awareness and action, reinforcing the belief that meaningful change begins with dialogue, and that dialogue often starts with young voices.

• Urban Lab

CSE Study: Delhi’s Air Worsens After Farm Fires End: What the Data Shows

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply in December even as farm fires disappeared, contradicting the common belief that stubble burning drives the capital’s winter pollution crisis. A new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment released Wednesday shows pollution levels jumped 29 percent in December compared to October and November, when thousands of farm fires burned across northern states. During the same period, farm fire contribution to Delhi’s pollution plummeted from 4.2 percent to just 0.2 percent. The findings challenge the narrative that seasonal farm fires are the main culprit behind Delhi’s toxic winter air. Instead, the study points to year-round sources like vehicles, industries, and household fuels as the primary drivers of the region’s smog. “These findings reveal a concerning reality: Delhi’s winter pollution does not dissipate once stubble burning ends; instead, it intensifies. Despite the farm-fire contribution to PM2.5 levels dropping sharply in December, the average PM2.5 levels have actually increased,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director-Research and Advocacy at CSE. What Changed Between October, December? The numbers tell a stark story. During October and November, when farm fires burned across northern states, average PM2.5 levels stood at 163 micrograms per cubic meter. Farm fires contributed about 4.2 percent to the total pollution during this period. In December, after the farm fires ended, the picture changed dramatically. Average PM2.5 concentration rose to 210 micrograms per cubic meter. This represents a 29 percent increase over the previous period. Yet farm fire contribution dropped to just 0.2 percent. Delhi recorded three severe air quality days during the stubble burning phase. The worst day saw the Air Quality Index reach 428 on November 11. In December, the city experienced five severe air quality days. On December 14, the AQI surged to 461, the season’s worst reading. Who Else Is Affected? The pollution crisis extends beyond Delhi. Cities across the NCR recorded sharp increases in PM2.5 levels during December. Noida saw the steepest surge with a 38 percent increase. Ballabhgarh recorded a 32 percent rise. Baghpat experienced a 31 percent increase. Delhi itself saw pollution levels climb by 29 percent. “The build-up of pollution was felt across various urban centres in the NCR. While some towns saw marginal declines, most cities recorded a sharp rise in PM2.5 levels,” said Sharanjeet Kaur, deputy programme manager at Urban Lab, CSE. During a severe smog episode between December 12 and 15, Noida recorded the highest PM2.5 concentration at 352 micrograms per cubic meter. Delhi followed with 343 micrograms per cubic meter over three days. Even smaller towns like Baghpat remained engulfed in dense smog with levels averaging 312 micrograms per cubic meter. Where Does Pollution Come From? The study used data from the Decision Support System developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. The findings reveal a complex picture of pollution sources. “During this period, local sources within Delhi accounted for only about 35 percent of the total PM2.5. The remaining 65 percent originated from neighbouring NCR districts and regions further away,” said Shambhavi Shukla, programme manager at the Clean Air programme, CSE. Within Delhi’s local contribution, vehicles emerge as the dominant source. Transport accounts for nearly half of all local emissions at 46 percent. Industries contribute 22 percent. Household-level emissions from cooking and heating account for 11 percent. Construction, waste burning, and road dust make up the remaining share. Why Don’t Pollutants Disperse? Winter weather conditions trap pollutants close to the ground. Stagnant meteorology prevents the dispersion of emissions. Low temperatures, weak winds, and shallow mixing heights all contribute to this problem. “This regional spike is driven by local emission sources and exacerbated by stagnant winter meteorology, which prevents the dispersion of pollutants,” Sharanjeet Kaur explained. The study also highlights the role of secondary particles. These form when gases from vehicles, industries, and other sources react in the atmosphere. They do not come directly from any single source. Data shows that directly emitted primary particles account for only 39 percent of pollution. The remaining 61 percent consists of secondary particles formed through atmospheric chemical reactions. These particles form when precursor gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds react in the air. Winter conditions accelerate these reactions. Gases convert into particles up to 1.6 times faster than primary particles are emitted. These secondary particles are typically finer and more persistent. They penetrate deeper into the lungs and pose greater health risks. What About Long-Term Trends? The analysis reveals mixed progress on air quality. On an annual average basis, PM2.5 concentrations declined by about seven percent in 2025 compared to 2024. Levels fell from 105 micrograms per cubic meter to 97 micrograms per cubic meter. Month-wise analysis shows PM2.5 levels declined in most months. However, three months recorded increases. April saw a 10 percent rise. August recorded a 13 percent increase. December experienced a 24 percent jump. The most significant improvements came during May, June, July, and September. Excessive and prolonged rainfall during monsoon and pre-monsoon periods helped clean the atmosphere. Rain washed away suspended particles and limited dust resuspension. What Needs to Happen Now? Roychowdhury stressed the need for comprehensive action. “While managing farm fires is important, air quality goals cannot be met without aggressive, year-round action against urban and regional emission sources for a zero emissions transition.” The study proposes several key measures. These include meeting electrification targets for all vehicle segments. Cities need to scrap and replace older vehicles. Public transport must be scaled up with better last-mile connectivity and infrastructure for walking and cycling. Personal vehicle use needs restraint through parking caps, pricing mechanisms, and congestion taxes. Industries must switch to cleaner fuels with stringent emissions control. Power plants must meet emission standards. Waste management requires a complete overhaul. Cities must segregate waste, remediate legacy waste, and promote recycling to stop open burning. Construction waste needs recycling with strict dust control measures. Households need access to clean fuels for cooking and heating. Farm fires must be eliminated by decomposing or ploughing straw back into soil. Bio-methanation of straw can provide fuel while increasing farmer incomes. “The smog is sustained by a combination of local emissions, regional inflows, and secondary aerosol formation, requiring coordinated airshed-level action alongside aggressive control of local sources,” Roychowdhury said. The analysis is based on real-time data from air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR. Farm fire contribution estimates come from the Ministry of Earth Science’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research. The Decision Support System developed by IITM provided source contribution and chemical composition data.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi’s worst air in years fuels anger in test for Modi’s party

“Right now, we are going one step ahead and two steps backward,” said Kalyani Tembhe, deputy program manager at the Centre for Science and Environment, a Delhi-based research organization. “The sheer amount of pollution that is getting added in Delhi is so high that we just tend to play catch up with pollution rather than having actually mitigated it.”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0 Promotes Student Action For Clean Air

Hawa Badlo, India’s nationwide movement dedicated to improving air quality through awareness and collective action, successfully concluded the launch of Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0, its flagship student-led environmental campaign. The launch event marked another milestone in the movement’s efforts to empower young citizens to take ownership of India’s clean-air future. The initiative was launched in the presence of Mr. Praveer Kumar Agarwal, Executive Director – Training, GAIL (India) Limited, whose leadership and continued institutional support have played a significant role in strengthening the campaign’s scale and impact. With the sustained backing of GAIL (India) Limited, the campaign once again reinforced the importance of industry participation in nurturing environmental awareness and youth leadership. Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0 invites students from schools across the country to actively engage with issues of air pollution, sustainability, and responsible environmental behaviour. Through essays, illustrations, videos, innovations, and other creative formats, students are encouraged to share ideas and solutions that promote clean air. The campaign positions children not just as learners, but as changemakers who can influence their families, schools, and communities. At its core, the School Warrior initiative continues to serve as a powerful platform for youth empowerment. While young people may not yet directly shape policy, the campaign recognises their critical role in influencing mindsets, everyday behaviours, and future norms. By encouraging meaningful engagement with environmental challenges, Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0 aims to nurture a generation that sees clean air as a fundamental right and a shared responsibility. The launch event also featured an insightful panel discussion that brought together experts, educators, policymakers, and youth voices to reflect on the future of environmental leadership in India. Moderated by Mr. Ajay Pandey, Co-founder, Think Through Consulting, the panel included: Ms. Taru Mehta, Associate Director – Environment Education & Awareness, TERI Ms. Anumita Roychowdhary, Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Ms. Zainab Bie, Climate, Energy & Philanthropy Strategist, United Nations A school student and environment enthusiast, representing youth perspectives The discussion emphasised that environmental education must go beyond textbooks and translate into small, meaningful actions in everyday life. Panelists highlighted that today’s children will shape tomorrow’s world, and early engagement can help India move towards a greener and healthier future. Speakers also shared inspiring examples of young students and entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions for environmental protection, underlining the importance of platforms like Hawa Badlo School Warrior in fostering awareness, creativity, and responsibility from a young age. While creativity and expression remain central to School Warrior 3.0, the campaign also draws attention to the urgency of India’s air-pollution crisis, particularly in urban centres where health risks continue to grow. By engaging students early, Hawa Badlo aims to instil long-term environmental thinking and accountability. Though student-centred, the impact of Hawa Badlo School Warrior 3.0 extends beyond classrooms to teachers, parents, and local communities. The campaign continues to position School Warrior as a bridge between awareness and action, reinforcing the belief that meaningful change begins with dialogue, and that dialogue often starts with young voices.

• Urban Lab

Farm fires subside but Delhi still choked, says CSE report

Delhi’s winter smog has intensified even after farm fires subsided, with new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) showing that average PM2.5 levels this December rose by nearly 30 per cent compared to months which saw stubble burning. This overturns the common perception that stubble burning is the sole driver of Delhi’s toxic air. While farm fire contributions fell to negligible levels in December, the city continued to choke under “Very Poor” to “Severe” air quality, with daily PM2.5 concentrations fluctuating between 107 and 393 µg/m³, and AQI levels frequently crossing 300 and touching even 450. December 14 saw the season’s worst air, when AQI surged to 461, higher than the peak observed during the stubble burning phase. The study underlined that Delhi’s pollution is sustained by a combination of local emissions, regional inflows, and secondary aerosol formation. It cited data from the IITM’s Decision Support System that revealed that local sources within Delhi accounted for about 35 per cent of total PM2.5 in early December, with vehicles alone contributing nearly half. Industry, household fuels, construction dust, and waste burning added smaller, but persistent loads. The remaining 65 per cent was transported from NCR towns and beyond, underscoring the regional nature of the crisis.

• Urban Lab

CSE flags deeper pollution crisis as NCR smog peaks after farm fires

Bathinda: A new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), released on the last day of 2025, sheds light on the shifting air quality trends in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The study compares the early winter months of Oct and Nov — a period heavily influenced by farm fires — with the post-farm fire period of Dec, when the impact of stubble burning becomes negligible. This post-stubble phase experienced intense, widespread smog across the NCR — more severe than the crop residue burning period. The persistence of pollution beyond farm fires is strongly evident in this analysis. During the stubble-burning phase (Oct 1–Nov 30), Delhi recorded three ‘severe' AQI days, with the highest AQI reaching 428 on Nov 11. In contrast, the post-stubble period (Dec 1–29) saw five ‘severe' AQI days, with the season's worst air quality recorded on Dec 14, when AQI surged to 461, much higher than the peak observed during the stubble-burning period. PM2.5 concentrations ranged between 107 and 393, keeping Delhi firmly in the ‘very poor' to ‘severe' range on most days. "These findings reveal a concerning reality that Delhi's winter pollution does not dissipate once stubble burning ends; instead, it intensifies. Despite the farm-fire contribution to PM2.5 levels dropping to zero in Dec, the average PM2.5 levels actually increased. The stark contrast between declining fire influence and rising pollution levels indicates the dominance of local and regional sources — vehicles, industry, waste burning, and solid fuels for domestic cooking and heating. While managing farm fires is important, air quality goals cannot be met without aggressive, year-round action against urban and regional emission sources for a zero-emissions transition. The smog is sustained by a combination of local emissions, regional inflows, and secondary aerosol formation, requiring coordinated airshed-level action alongside aggressive control of local sources," says Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director-research and advocacy at CSE. "The build-up of pollution was felt across various urban centres in the NCR. While some towns saw marginal declines, most cities recorded a sharp rise in PM2.5 levels, with Noida at 38% increase; Ballabhgarh at 32% increase; Baghpat at 31% increase; and Delhi at 29% increase. This regional spike is driven by local emission sources and exacerbated by stagnant winter meteorology, which prevents the dispersion of pollutants," says Sharanjeet Kaur, deputy programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE. "Moreover, data from the Decision Support System (DSS) for Dec 1–15 highlights the complexity of the problem. During this period, local sources within Delhi accounted for only about 35% of total PM2.5. The remaining 65% originated from neighbouring NCR districts and regions further away. Within Delhi's local contribution, vehicles are the dominant primary source, accounting for nearly half of all local emissions," says Shambhavi Shukla, programme manager, Clean Air programme at CSE. This analysis is based on the real-time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR. The estimate of the contribution of farm stubble fire smoke to Delhi's air quality is sourced from the ministry of earth science's System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). Real-time source contribution and chemical composition data is taken from the DSS developed by IITM. Key highlights: Stubble burning not sole cause: Daily PM2.5 trends show winter pollution in Delhi persists beyond farm fires, indicating a clear shift in air quality dynamics between the two phases. Stubble-burning period (Oct 1–Nov 30): During this phase, average PM2.5 levels stood at 163 µg/m³. Farm fires contributed approximately 4.2% to the total on average, peaking briefly at over 22% in mid-Nov. Post-stubble burning period (Dec 1–28): The average concentration rose sharply to 210 µg/m³, representing a 29% increase over the previous period. This surge occurred even as the contribution from farm fires plummeted to just 0.2%. The daily PM2.5 concentrations fluctuated between 107 µg/m³ and 393 µg/m³. Crisis far beyond Delhi: Data indicates a region-wide escalation of winter pollution. At the regional level, average PM2.5 concentrations increased by 28% in the post-stubble burning phase compared to the active burning period. This upward trend was observed across major urban centres, as Noida recorded the steepest surge, with PM2.5 levels jumping by 38%. Delhi experienced a 29% increase. Greater Noida registered a 28% rise. Gurugram and Faridabad saw a pronounced increase of 27% each. Shift in pollution profile: Analysis of DSS data for the stubble-burning (Nov 6–20) and post-stubble burning period (Dec 1–15) highlights a critical shift in Delhi's pollution profile. Transport biggest PM2.5 source: Transport, or vehicles, remains the single largest contributor, accounting for 46% of Delhi's local 2.5 load during this period. The industrial sector contributed 22% to the local pollution profile. Household-level emissions accounted for 11%. Other sectors, including construction, energy use, waste burning, and road dust, contributed smaller but persistent shares.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Environment: Approach has to change, all pollution sources need to be tackled

This winter, despite anti-pollution curbs being in place and a dip in farm fires — lowest in five years — the air quality index in Delhi-NCR repeatedly slipped into the ‘Very Poor’ and ‘Severe’ categories. The year saw the most visible public outcry in the recent past over the pollution crisis. Starting from the November protest at the India Gate, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta being met with “AQI, AQI” chants at an event hosting the football player Lionel Messi to the mounting petitions landing up in the Supreme Court seeking that the crisis be declared as a national public health emergency. Even when the source apportionment study that the Capital relies on is seven years old and requires updation, studies have underlined that the air pollution crisis is not limited to winter. Residents of Delhi-NCR are exposed to a mix of emissions from traffic, industry, waste burning and household fuels, along with dust from roads and construction sites. The challenge for 2026 is whether the region can move beyond short, winter-heavy emergency responses to year-round, measurable reductions across sectors. WAY FORWARD Under the National Clean Air Programme, certain cities, including Delhi, are expected to achieve a 40% reduction in PM10 levels by 2026. However, an assessment by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has found that Delhi reduced PM10 by only about 12% over six years since the programme’s launch. A World Bank assessment released this year on pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain has pointed out why progress has been slow. Transport contributes between 10% and 40% of PM2.5 pollution and is the single largest source in cities like Delhi. The report links this to ageing vehicle fleets, rising private vehicle use and gaps in public transport. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director (Research and Advocacy) at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, “We cannot talk about air quality management in isolation without understanding how it is impacting people’s health. The approach to air quality management has to alter fundamentally.” She added that there is a need to fix the fundamental systems across all key sectors of pollution. “We have a clear idea of the sources, so each and every sector requires a target. Delhi requires another 60% reduction to meet the national clean air standard for PM2.5. There is a real need to leapfrog and build solutions…”

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi remains most polluted NCR city in 2025, CREA analysis finds

Delhi was the most polluted among NCR cities in 2025, followed by Ghaziabad and Noida, according to a new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The annual data, recorded till Dec 30, reveals that while Delhi saw a decline in PM2.5 concentrations this time compared with last year, the polluted-season (Oct to Dec) average in 2025 slightly increased from 2024. PM2.5 levels at all 40 stations in Delhi were at least 1.8 times — nearly twice — the annual standard. The analysis showed that of the 29 NCR cities, only 14 had more than 75% PM2.5 data coverage in 2025. The remaining 15 cities with insufficient monitoring coverage were all located in Haryana -- Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Dharuhera, Manesar, Rohtak, Jind, Ballabgarh, Charkhi Dadri, Panipat, Karnal, Narnaul, Bhiwani, Faridabad, Mandikhera and Palwal. Across India's megacities, Delhi continued to record the highest annual PM2.5 levels in 2025. While Kolkata and Mumbai remained largely unchanged, Bengaluru showed a marginal decline and Chennai recorded a marginal increase. Delhi recorded an annual PM2.5 concentration of 96 micrograms per cubic metre, as opposed to the annual national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for PM2.5 of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. It was 19.2 times higher than WHO's annual safe guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. Delhi's PM2.5 concentrations in April, Aug and Dec were higher in 2025 than in the previous year. The analysis found that except for Bharatpur and Alwar in Rajasthan, all remaining NCR cities exceeded the annual PM2.5 NAAQS. Ghaziabad had the highest number of days exceeding the daily PM2.5 NAAQS. In Delhi, all monitoring stations exceeded the annual PM2.5 NAAQS. Jahangirpuri was the most polluted station in Delhi, with an annual average PM2.5 level of 130 micrograms per cubic metre. It was followed by Wazirpur (124), Bawana (123), Anand Vihar (121) and Rohini (115). Among the 40 stations in Delhi, NSIT Dwarka recorded the lowest annual PM2.5 concentration at 73 micrograms per cubic metre, but it was still 1.8 times the NAAQS and 14.6 times WHO's safe guidelines. "The NCR situation shows that elevated pollution now persists throughout the year rather than being confined to a few months. The lack of improvement highlights the limitations of short-term, reactive measures and highlights the need for sector-specific emission reduction targets that address dominant year-round sources of pollution, including significant transboundary contributions," said CREA analyst Manoj Kumar. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the average AQI for 2025 has been the second lowest in seven years, since 2018. The average AQI was 201 this year, against 209 last year. Covid year 2020 recorded the lowest AQI, at 185. Meanwhile, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which analysed the Decision Support System (DSS) data for the post-stubble burning period (Dec 1-15, 2025), stated that only about 35% of Delhi's total PM2.5 originated from local sources within the city. The remaining 65% of pollution was attributed to NCR districts and other regions outside the city limits. "Transport remains the single largest contributor, accounting for nearly half — 46% — of Delhi's local 2.5 load during this period. The industrial sector contributed 22%, household-level emissions accounted for 11%, and sectors like construction, energy use, waste burning and road dust contributed smaller but persistent shares," said CSE.

• Urban Lab

Delhi Pollution: दिल्ली प्रदूषण पर नई रिपोर्ट का बड़ा खुलासा, पराली नहीं, वाहन उत्सर्जन बना PM2.5 का बड़ा कारण

दिल्ली की खतरनाक वायु गुणवत्ता के लिए अब तक जिस पराली जलाने को सबसे बड़ा दोषी माना जाता रहा है, उस धारणा पर एक नई रिपोर्ट ने सवाल खड़े कर दिए हैं। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) की एक ताजा स्टडी के मुताबिक, पराली जलाने का दौर खत्म होने के बाद भी दिल्ली में PM2.5 (पीएम 2.5) का स्तर कम नहीं हुआ, बल्कि दिसंबर महीने में यह और ज्यादा गंभीर हो गया।

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Air Cleanest Since 2020. But No Clean Chit

The city breathed its cleanest air since 2020, but before exhaling in relief it would be sobering to know that the concentration of particulate matter that Delhiites inhaled was much higher than the national and WHO safety standards. The average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 — up to Dec 29 — was 98 micrograms per cubic metre. That's 2.45 times the annual national standard of 40 micrograms per cubic metre and 19.6 times higher than the WHO's safety guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. Similarly, the annual PM10 concentration in 2025, till Dec 29, was 200 micrograms per cubic metre. It was 3.3 times higher than the annual national average of 60 micrograms per cubic metre and 13.33 times higher than the WHO guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic metre. A favourable combination of several factors gave Delhi the slight leg-up: excess rainfall from May to Oct, an early Diwali, lower stubble fumes and strong winds on most days. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's data, which was analysed by the think tank EnviroCatalysts, the annual average PM2.5 levels were 104 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024, 101 in 2023, 99 in 2022, 107 in 2021, and 98 micrograms per cubic metre in 2020. Delhi witnessed a rise in annual average PM2.5 levels for two years in 2023 and 2024, but it dipped this year. In terms of the PM2.5 levels, Jahagirpuri (130 micrograms per cubic metre), Wazirpur (124), and Anand Vihar (121) were the 3 most polluted locations in 2025. The annual PM10 levels stood at 212 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024, 207 in 2023, 213 in 2022, 215 in 2022, and 190 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst of EnviroCatalysts, said the persistently high pollution levels, more than twice the national standards for PM10 and about 2.5 times for PM2.5, reflect that the emission load across the wider airshed has long exceeded the region's carrying capacity. "While the stagnation of these levels over the past five to six years, despite rising population, consumption and industrial activity, indicates that emission intensity per unit of production may have improved, the overall increase in activity quickly offset those gains. The fragmented nature of emission reduction efforts across sectors further limited progress," Dahiya said. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director for research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, said that to understand the drivers of this annual trend, "we require detailed reporting on the type and scale of systemic measures within each pollution control sector". "The critical takeaway is that, despite recent stabilisation, harmful PM2.5 levels remain several times higher than national standards. Achieving compliance with both national standards and the more stringent WHO guidelines require accelerated implementation of an ambitious, near-zero emissions roadmap across all key sectors," she said.

• Down To Earth

Year Ender 2025: दित्वाह, भूकंप से लेकर बाढ़ तक ने मचाई तबाही, इस साल दुनिया में इन आपदाओं ने ढाया कहर

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट की क्लाइमेट इंडिया 2025 रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, भारत में जनवरी से लेकर सितंबर तक 99 फीसदी दिन चरम मौसम वाले रहे हैं। ऐसे में यह जानना अहम है कि दुनिया के साथ-साथ भारत में ऐसी कौन सी घटनाएं हुईं, जिनसे भारी तबाही हुई।