New Delhi: Delhi witnessed a significant improvement in its air quality during October 2026, with the city's monthly average Air Quality Index (AQI) falling to 166. According to data released by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, this is the lowest average AQI recorded for October in the national capital over the past eight years.
The latest figures indicate a considerable improvement compared with October readings from previous years. Delhi's average AQI was recorded at 223 in October 2025, 234 in 2024, 219 in 2023, 210 in 2022 and 173 in 2021. The corresponding figures were 265 in 2020, 234 in 2019 and 269 in 2018.
The improvement was also reflected in the city's overall air quality performance during the first ten months of 2026. From January 1 to October 31, Delhi registered an average AQI of 167, compared with 170 during the corresponding period in 2025. The average stood at 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 187 in 2022 and 179 in 2021. In 2020, however, the figure was lower at 156.
Another positive indicator emerged from the number of days when Delhi experienced relatively better air quality.
Between January and October 2026, the capital recorded 220 days with a daily average AQI below 200, placing air quality in the Good to Moderate category, as classified in the ministry's statement.
This was higher than the 200 days recorded in 2025, 201 in 2024, 206 in 2023, 160 in 2022, 197 in 2021, 175 in 2019 and 157 in 2018. Only 2020 recorded a higher figure, with 224 such days.
The number of days when Delhi experienced Poor to Severe+ air quality also remained comparatively lower during the January-October period.
According to the ministry, the capital recorded 84 days with an average AQI above 200 in 2026. This was significantly lower than the 104 days reported in both 2025 and 2024, 98 in 2023, 144 in 2022 and 107 in 2021. The corresponding figures were 81 in 2020, 129 in 2019 and 147 in 2018.
Source: Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India.
