Story Date: 22 January 2026, 6:07 PM
The Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), in view of the improvement in air quality and favourable meteorological trends, has decided to lift Stage-III restrictions in the Delhi–National Capital Region with immediate effect from January 22, 2026.
The Sub-Committee had invoked Stage-III of GRAP on January 16, 2026, following a deterioration in Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI). Subsequently, a consistent improving trend in air quality was observed. As per the daily AQI bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average AQI improved from 378 on January 20, 2026, to 330 on January 21, 2026, and further to 322 on January 22, 2026. In light of this improving trend and the air quality and weather forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the CAQM Sub-Committee reviewed the situation in its meeting today.
The Sub-Committee noted that the improvement in AQI levels in Delhi is primarily due to favourable meteorological conditions. According to IMD and IITM forecasts, the AQI is likely to remain in the ‘Moderate’ to ‘Poor’ category over the next few days. Considering that Stage-III measures under GRAP affect a large number of stakeholders and the general public, and given their restrictive nature, the CAQM Sub-Committee decided to withdraw all actions under Stage-III of the current GRAP schedule across the entire Delhi-NCR with immediate effect.
However, all measures under Stage-I and Stage-II of the current GRAP schedule (November 2025) shall continue to remain in force across the Delhi-NCR. Concerned agencies will ensure their effective implementation, monitoring, and review to prevent any deterioration in air quality in the coming days. Strict vigilance will be maintained to ensure rigorous enforcement of Stage-I and Stage-II measures so that the re-imposition of Stage-III restrictions in Delhi-NCR can be avoided.
Construction and demolition project sites and other establishments that have been specifically ordered to be closed due to violations or non-compliance with statutory directions, rules, or guidelines shall not resume operations under any circumstances without specific orders from the Commission.
While Stage-III of GRAP is being lifted, in view of the winter season—when meteorological conditions may not always remain favourable—and to ensure that AQI levels do not deteriorate further, citizens are urged to strictly adhere to the Citizen Charter under Stage-I and Stage-II of the current GRAP schedule.
The Sub-Committee will continue to closely monitor the air quality scenario and will periodically review the situation to take appropriate decisions based on air quality levels in Delhi and the weather information and AQI forecasts provided by IMD and IITM.
