Delhi’s best Jan-Oct air quality in eight years
Next story · 31 OctCentral accounts to September: 49.5% of receipts in
What happened
- Delhi’s average AQI for January-October 2025 was 170, the best in eight years barring 2020: 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 201 in 2018 [PIB].
- There was no day with AQI above 400 in this period [PIB].
Background
- Weaker, drier winds after the monsoon reduce dispersion [PIB].
Why it matters
- Annual averages hide the winter spikes that matter for health.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2025-10-31): delhi's average AQI for January-October 2025 was 170, the best in eight years barring 2020: 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 201 in 2018.
- Annual averages hide the winter spikes that matter for health.
Quotable data pointThere was no day with AQI above 400 in this period.
PIB: CAQM: Best average air quality in 8 years, 31 Oct 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: AQI trends.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
Average AQI Jan-Oct 2025
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Year excluded from comparison
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Days with AQI>400 in Jan-Oct 2025
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB.
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: CAQM: Best average air quality in 8 years, 31 Oct 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending