Delhi Records Lowest October Average AQI in Eight Years at 166: Union Environment Ministry

NEW DELHI: Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 166 in October, marking its lowest average for the month in the last eight years. According to a statement issued by the Union Environment Ministry on Saturday, the number of days recording 'Good to Moderate' air quality was also higher than in most previous years.

Data released by the ministry shows that Delhi's monthly average AQI stood at 223 in October 2025, 234 in 2024, 219 in 2023, 210 in 2022, 173 in 2021, 265 in 2020, 234 in 2019, and 269 in 2018.

Looking at the broader period, Delhi's average AQI for the January-October period stood at 167. This compares to 170 in 2025, 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 187 in 2022, 179 in 2021, 156 in 2020, 192 in 2019, and 201 in 2018.

During the January-October period, the national capital recorded 220 days in the 'Good to Moderate' air quality category, maintaining a daily average AQI below 200. This figure is higher than the 200 days recorded in 2025, 201 in 2024, 206 in 2023, 160 in 2022, 197 in 2021, 224 in 2020, 175 in 2019, and 157 in 2018.

Conversely, the number of days when air quality fell into the 'Poor to Severe+' category—characterized by a daily average AQI above 200—stood at 84 during the January-October period.

This count is lower than the 104 such days recorded in both 2025 and 2024, 98 in 2023, 144 in 2022, 107 in 2021, 81 in 2020, 129 in 2019, and 147 in 2018, according to the ministry's figures.

"Improving environmental indicators such as air quality metrics have a direct bearing on urban livability, workforce productivity, and long-term economic planning. Consistent improvements in the AQI over multi-year periods reflect positively on regulatory enforcement and regional resource management, creating a more stable operating environment for businesses and urban enterprises alike." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes