ADVERTISEMENTCREA noted that January 2025, with an average AQI of 306, was the cleanest January since 2022, when the monthly average AQI stood at 279. So far this month, Delhi has recorded two “moderate” air quality days, 12 “poor” days, 14 “very poor” days and two “severe” days, the analysis said. By comparison, January 2025 had two “moderate” days, 13 “poor” days and 16 “very poor” days, with no “severe” days reported during the month. The analysis indicated that the absence of "severe" days in January 2025 and the presence of two "severe" days in January this year may have contributed to the slightly higher average AQI in 2026. The air quality early warning system has predicted "very poor" air quality for January 31.

Source: The Telegraph January 31, 2026 05:30 UTC