Delhi Pollution Graph 2025: Shocking Air Quality Trends You Need to See

1. Introduction: The Air That Delhi Breathes

Mornings in Delhi are no longer just about breakfast and commute; they now come with a haze. The Delhi pollution graph shows that on many days, the air quality falls into the “Very Poor,” “Severe,” or even “Hazardous” categories. For instance, one recent 24-hour AQI reading in Delhi exceeded 400, which is classified as “Severe.”

In this post, you will explore the data, its significance, and how the current trends compare to past years.

2. Understanding the Delhi Pollution Graph

The “pollution graph” is a visual or tabular display of air-quality metrics (AQI, PM2.5, PM10) over time in Delhi.

Key terms: The AQI (Air Quality Index) is a combined measure. Levels above 300 are very dangerous.

A major source of information comes from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other monitoring networks, which provide hourly and 24-hour averages.

The graph helps detect spikes (e.g., post-festivals, winters) and seasonal patterns.

Air quality tends to improve during the monsoon. It worsens in late autumn and winter due to weather patterns and emissions.

3. A Look Back: How 2025 Compares to Previous Years

Here, 2025 is put in context by comparing it to 2024, 2023, and others.

From January to May 2025, Delhi recorded an average PM2.5 level of about 95 µg/m³ , down from around 111 µg/m³ in the same period of 2024.

From January to October 2025, the data indicates that the city's average AQI dropped to about 170 , better than 184 in 2024 for the same period. This is the best showing in eight years, apart from the pandemic year.

Yet, despite some improvements, late-year seasons still lead to the worst pollution levels. This comparison shows both progress and ongoing challenges.

4. Causes Behind the Rising Pollution Levels

The graph highlights the main causes of pollution peaks and lows.

Stubble burning in neighboring states impacts Delhi through wind transport. For example, post-Diwali (October), PM2.5 levels soared to around 488 µg/m³ in one 24-hour period.

Vehicular emissions , construction dust , industrial sources , and open waste burning significantly contribute to pollution levels.

Meteorological and seasonal factors play a role: In winter, temperature inversion traps pollutants near the ground; wind speed drops; and outdoor fires (for heating and waste) increase.

The graph illustrates sharper increases in pollution from October to November, with slower declines until the onset of monsoon or windy days.

5. What the Graphs Reveal: Key Insights

This section discusses the major findings from the pollution graph for 2025:

There is a clear spike in pollution from late October to early November, often due to stubble burning, fireworks, and cooler weather.

There is an improvement in early-year months (January to May) compared to previous years, with lower average PM2.5 levels (about 95 µg/m³) than in prior years.

However, despite these early gains, the city still faced days in the “Severe” range, like an AQI of around 361 on November 8, 2025 .

The graph shows that even during “better” months, pollutant levels remain well above safe guidelines (the WHO annual guideline for PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³ ). This indicates that baseline pollution levels are still high.

These insights help readers understand that while the curve may be flattening slightly, the absolute pollution levels remain concerning.

6. Health Impacts: Breathing the Cost

Using the trends shown in the graph, this section discusses the implications for public health:

High PM2.5 and PM10 levels correspond to a greater risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, reduced lung growth in children, and increased mortality rates.

When the AQI exceeds 300–400, all groups face risk, especially children, the elderly, and those with lung or heart conditions.

For instance, when the graph shows prolonged “Very Poor” or “Severe” days, people should avoid outdoor exercise, wear masks, and consider using air purifiers indoors. Real-time data showed PM2.5 levels around 282.5 µg/m³ in November 2025.

Connecting the graph to real health risks makes the data relevant to readers.

7. Government Action and Public Response

This section uses the graph to illustrate the effects (or lack thereof) of policy measures:

Authorities activate the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) when the AQI exceeds certain thresholds; for example, when the graph shows a sharp increase, GRAP measures may be enacted.

Though early months showed improvement, many experts caution that pollution peaks in later months persist. The graph indicates that despite regulations, any improvements can be temporary.

Public responses include wearing N95 masks, checking apps, and shifting to work-from-home during high pollution days. The public’s engagement with the graph makes the issue more visible and urgent.

8. Solutions: What Can Be Done Next

Using the trends from the graph, you can suggest solutions to address the pollution peaks:

Target the October–November spike by improving coordination with nearby states to manage stubble burning and investing in alternatives for crop-residue management.

For long-term pollution reduction, focus on shifting to electric vehicles , controlling construction dust , enforcing stricter industrial emissions , and increasing urban green spaces .

For short-term personal strategies, monitor the pollution graph daily, avoid outdoor activities when levels rise, use certified masks, and invest in indoor air purifiers.

It’s important that the graph indicates when pollution risk is high, as taking the right actions at the right time is crucial.

9. Conclusion: A Breath of Hope

To sum up, the Delhi pollution graph reveals:

In 2025, there are signs of improvement, such as lower early-year averages, but the city still faces dangerous peaks.

The visual trends offer some hope: if interventions continue, the peaks might decrease. However, the baseline pollution will only improve with ongoing efforts.

Encourage readers to check the graph today and change their habits tomorrow. Awareness of the trend is the first step toward change.

Even though Delhi’s air continues to struggle, we are not alone in this fight; we have data, sound policies, and individual efforts supporting us.