Store
GS3 · Pollution

CAQM issues statutory direction on wheat-stubble burning

1 min readPollution
Battle IAS current affairs title card: CAQM issues statutory direction on wheat-stubble burning (GS3 · Pollution, 16 February 2026)

What happened

  • CAQM issued Direction No. 96 requiring action plans to end wheat-residue burning in Punjab, Haryana and NCR UP [PIB].
  • In April–May 2025 the ISRO/IARI protocol recorded 10,207 fire events in Punjab, 1,832 in Haryana and 259 in NCR districts of UP [PIB].

Background

  • Most attention goes to paddy stubble in October–November. Wheat-season fires get less focus but still add to the pollution.

Why it matters

  • Year-round crop residue management is needed, not just a winter response.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation

  1. As per PIB (2026-02-16): CAQM issued Direction No. 96 requiring action plans to end wheat-residue burning in Punjab, Haryana and NCR UP.
  2. Year-round crop residue management is needed, not just a winter response.
Quotable data point

In April–May 2025 the ISRO/IARI protocol recorded 10,207 fire events in Punjab, 1,832 in Haryana and 259 in NCR districts of UP.

PIB: MoEFCC: CAQM wheat stubble direction, 16 Feb 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: CAQM.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Fire events Punjab (Apr–May 2025)

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

CAQM established under

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Direction number

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerPlastic Pollution: Sources, Microplastics, Plastic Waste Management Rules, Single-Use Plastic Ban, EPR and the Global Plastics Treaty (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerAir Pollution in India: Pollutants, Sources, AQI, WHO Guidelines, NCAP and GRAP (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: MoEFCC: CAQM wheat stubble direction, 16 Feb 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending