GS3 · Pollution

Delhi records best Jan-Aug average AQI in eight years

What happened

Delhi’s average AQI for January-August 2025 was 172, against 187 in 2024, the best in 2018-2025 leaving out lockdown year 2020 [PIB].
August 2025 had 23 “Good-Satisfactory” days, and the August average AQI was 89 [PIB].

The Ministry credited favourable weather as well as action by stakeholders [PIB].

GS-III Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation

As per PIB (2025-09-01): delhi's average AQI for January-August 2025 was 172, against 187 in 2024, the best in 2018-2025 leaving out lockdown year 2020.
Monsoon months are the easy part; the test is the October-January season.

Quotable data point
August 2025 had 23 "Good-Satisfactory" days, and the August average AQI was 89.
PIB: Delhi best AQI Jan-Aug 2025, 1 Sep 2025

UPSC

Prelims: AQI trends. · Mains: urban air pollution.

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Delhi average AQI, Jan-Aug 2025

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Year excluded from the "best in eight years" comparison

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending