New Delhi: A day after a slight improvement, the Delhi air quality slightly dipped on Monday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) once again reached ‘Very Poor quality’. On Sunday, Delhi’s AQI improved to the ‘Poor’ category. A layer of smog blanketed the national capital on Monday.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI on Monday at 7 am in Delhi was 298, which was in the ‘Poor’ category. Notably, the AQI level in Delhi had dropped to 279 on Sunday, which was the second lowest in November in the national capital after 202 on November 5. It may be noted that as per CPCP standard, an AQI level of 0-50 is 'considered good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

Nehru Nagar recorded the highest AQI level

While Nehru Nagar recorded highest AQI level of 351, NSIT Dwarka recorded the lowest with 195. Other areas like Anand Vihar (323), Bawana (337), Burari Crossing (304), Jahangirpuri (319), Mundka (330), Punjabi Bagh (326), Shadipur (325), and Wazirpur (321) too recorded high AQI readings.

Among, areas near the national capital, Uttar Pradesh’s Noida was recorded as the most polluted city with the AQI level of 316. Faridabad in Haryana recorded the lowest AQI level of 208, while Ghaziabad and Greater Noida recorded 291and 288, respectively.

Average AQI decreased this year

Meanwhile, issuing a statement, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said the average AQI level between January to November this year was 187 as against 201 in 2024, 190 in 2023, 199 in 2022, 197 in 2021, 172 in 2020, 203 in 2019, and 213 in 2018.

It added that the AQI crossed 400 only three days this year during the said period. As compared to 2025, there were 11 in 2024, 12 in 2023, four in 2022, 17 in 2021, 11 in 2020, 16 in 2019, and 12 in 2018.