Delhi: With average AQI of 307, 2026 sees second-best January in 5 years

According to an analysis by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), air quality in Delhi showed a slight deterioration this January compared to last year; The average Air Quality Index (AQI) till January 30 remained at 307 compared to 306 in the same period in 2025.

CREA’s analysis showed that January 2025, with an average AQI of 306, was the best January for air pollution since 2022, when the average monthly AQI was 279.

January 2026 ranks as the second-best January since then.

The analysis showed that so far in January 2026, Delhi has recorded two “fair” days, 12 “poor” days, 14 “very poor” days and two “severe” days in terms of air quality.

In contrast, two “moderate” days, 13 “bad” days and 16 “very bad” days were recorded in January 2025, with no “severe” days for air quality reported during the month.

The analysis showed that the absence of “severe” days in January 2025 and the presence of two “severe” days in January this year may have contributed to the slightly higher average AQI in 2026.
The air quality early warning system predicted air quality would be “very poor” for January 31.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, between 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor” and 401 and 500 “severe”.