Noida Tops Pollution Chart as Delhi's Air Quality Turns 'Severe'
Noida becomes India's most polluted city as Delhi's air quality plunges to 'severe' category.
Photo by Ronak Naik
Delhi's air quality has once again plummeted to the 'severe' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 401. Surprisingly, Noida has emerged as the most polluted city in the country, recording an AQI of 490, just shy of the 'severe plus' mark. This alarming situation has triggered the implementation of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which means stricter restrictions on construction and industrial activities.
The key point here is the persistent challenge of air pollution in the National Capital Region, impacting millions of lives and demanding urgent, coordinated action. This isn't just a statistic; it's a daily health crisis for residents, especially vulnerable populations. The fact that a city like Noida, often seen as a greener alternative, is now topping the pollution charts is a stark reminder of the widespread nature of this environmental challenge.
मुख्य तथ्य
Delhi's AQI: 401 (severe category)
Noida's AQI: 490 (most polluted city in India)
GRAP Stage III implemented in Delhi-NCR
AQI between 401-500 is 'severe'
UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Environmental governance and policy implementation (GRAP, NCAP)
Public health implications of air pollution
Inter-state cooperation and federalism in environmental management
Role of regulatory bodies (CAQM, CPCB)
Sustainable development and urban planning challenges
दृश्य सामग्री
NCR Air Quality Status: Delhi & Noida (December 2025)
This map illustrates the severe air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) as of December 2025, highlighting Noida as the most polluted city with an AQI of 490, closely followed by Delhi at 401. It shows the geographical spread of the pollution crisis.
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और जानकारी
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Air Quality Index (AQI) and Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in India: 1. An AQI value between 401 and 500 is classified as 'Severe'. 2. Noida's recorded AQI of 490 falls under the 'Severe Plus' category, triggering emergency measures. 3. GRAP Stage III primarily involves stricter restrictions on construction and industrial activities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is correct. As per the AQI classification, 401-500 is 'Severe'. Statement 2 is incorrect. An AQI of 490 falls under the 'Severe' category (401-500). The 'Severe Plus' or 'Emergency' category is triggered when PM2.5 concentration crosses 400 µg/m³ or PM10 crosses 500 µg/m³ for 48 hours or more, or when the AQI crosses 450. While 490 is very high, it is still within the 'Severe' band, not 'Severe Plus' which has specific criteria. Statement 3 is correct. GRAP Stage III is indeed characterized by stricter restrictions on construction and demolition activities (excluding essential projects), closure of certain industrial units, and restrictions on brick kilns and hot mix plants.
2. With reference to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), consider the following statements: 1. GRAP is a set of emergency measures implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. 2. The plan is based on the daily average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, along with other pollutants like Ozone and Carbon Monoxide. 3. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR is responsible for the overall implementation and enforcement of GRAP. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is incorrect. While GRAP was initially notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, its implementation and enforcement in the NCR are now overseen by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which superseded the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA). CPCB provides technical support and monitoring. Statement 2 is correct. GRAP's stages are indeed triggered based on the daily average concentrations of key pollutants, primarily PM2.5 and PM10, but also considering others like Ozone and Carbon Monoxide. Statement 3 is correct. The CAQM was established in 2020 to provide a permanent statutory body for air quality management in the NCR and adjoining areas, taking over the role of EPCA in implementing and enforcing GRAP.
3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: List-I (Air Pollutant) List-II (Primary Anthropogenic Source) I. Carbon Monoxide 1. Smelters and thermal power plants II. Sulphur Dioxide 2. Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels III. Lead 3. Photochemical reactions involving VOCs and NOx IV. Ground-level Ozone 4. Vehicle exhaust (historically, from leaded petrol) Code: A B C D
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
I. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is primarily produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, especially in vehicles and industrial processes. II. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) is a major pollutant released from the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur, predominantly in thermal power plants and industrial smelters. III. Lead (Pb) was historically a significant pollutant from vehicle exhaust due to leaded petrol. While leaded petrol has been phased out in many countries, lead can still be found in industrial emissions and some older paints. IV. Ground-level Ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant formed by photochemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight, not directly emitted from a single source.
4. Which of the following statements correctly describes the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)? 1. It aims for a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, using 2017 as the base year. 2. NCAP is a statutory program implemented under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. 3. The program primarily focuses on 'non-attainment cities' identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Select the correct answer using the code given below:
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is correct. NCAP's initial target was indeed a 20-30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. This target was later revised to a 40% reduction by 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect. NCAP is a non-statutory, time-bound national-level strategy, not implemented under the Air Act, 1981. It is a collaborative and participatory approach involving various ministries, states, and local bodies. Statement 3 is correct. NCAP primarily focuses on 131 'non-attainment cities' across India, which consistently fail to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 or PM2.5.
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