Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) Level Today, 03 November 2025: Delhi’s air quality took a sharp downturn on Monday, slipping deep into the “very poor” category as pollution levels surged across the capital. At 9 a.m., the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 316, according to data from the Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS). Forecasts suggest that the air quality will stay “very poor” on November 3 and 5, and could worsen to “severe” on November 4. Experts expect this trend to continue throughout the week. With Diwali week behind us, the question now is, what is driving this sudden decline in Delhi’s air quality?Delhi Air Quality WorsensThe air in Delhi and the wider NCR has been deteriorating steadily since Diwali ended. On Monday, November 3, the national capital recorded an overall AQI of 324 at 6:05 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app, keeping it in the “very poor” range. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts this pattern will continue for several more days, with the AQI possibly dipping into the “severe” category on November 4. Despite the festivities being over, pollution levels remain high, raising concern over what’s causing the continued decline.Farm Fires Add to Delhi’s PollutionThe Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality management has not updated its latest data, but its October 30 forecast showed that farm fires were responsible for roughly 9% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution, with Haryana’s Jhajjar district contributing the most at about 10.66%. Earlier in the season, Delhi’s PM2.5 contribution from stubble burning had stayed below 1%, but in early November, it climbed to around 2%. This rise shows the usual seasonal spike in farm fires, which typically peaks in early November.Other Factors Behind Delhi’s Falling Air QualityDelhi’s poor air is not caused by one source alone. Vehicle emissions, construction and demolition dust, and industrial discharge all play major roles in making the air toxic. Seasonal triggers such as stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana and leftover Diwali fireworks make the situation worse. Winds blowing from the northwest carry smoke from these fires directly into Delhi. According to EWS data, wind speeds dropped below 5 kmph on the night of November 2, allowing pollutants to stay close to the ground rather than dispersing.Why Delhi Suffers More During Pollution SeasonDelhi’s geography makes it especially prone to pollution build-up. The city sits in a low-lying plain surrounded by hills and plateaus, forming a basin that traps smog and fine particles. As winter sets in, the cooler air and frequent temperature inversions make the problem worse, preventing pollutants from rising and dispersing into the upper layers of the atmosphere.Starting November 1, the Delhi government began enforcing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directive across the NCR and nearby regions. The rule bans entry of commercial vehicles that are either not registered in Delhi or fail to meet BS-IV emission norms. Only vehicles powered by CNG, LNG, electricity, or those compliant with BS-VI standards are allowed into the city.According to official data, October ended on a worrying note for Delhi. The city’s average AQI for the month stood at 223, ranking it in the “poor” category and marking it as the second-worst October for air quality in the past five years.
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