Delhi’s deteriorating air quality witnessed a significant improvement on Sunday (January 25) after winter rain washed over the national capital, helping
the city record its cleanest air for January in four years. Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 150 at 9am, improving from 193 on Saturday evening. The last time the capital recorded a lower January AQI was on January 9, 2022, when it stood at 69. The improvement follows days of ‘poor’ air quality across several parts of the city. It was after nearly three-and-a-half months -103 days to be exact that Delhi's air quality on Saturday returned to the 'moderate' category. While the rainfall and cloud cover intensified the winter chill, authorities said the change in weather helped disperse pollutants and improve overall air quality. As a result, visibility improved in many areas, offering residents a rare respite during the peak winter pollution season.
VIDEO | Delhi wakes up to clear skies as the city begins its day, visuals from the DND Flyover.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 25, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/LWbFdzBFtG
Delhi Weather Today
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi-NCR is expected to witness a partly cloudy sky through the day, with surface winds blowing at speeds of 10–15 km/h. Meteorologists have also forecast shallow fog during night and early morning hours, particularly in low-lying areas.
The minimum temperature dipped to 6.6°C, around a degree below normal, compared with 7.6°C a day earlier. With icy winds blowing in from the upper Himalayan region, where fresh snowfall has been reported, minimum temperatures are expected to remain between 4–6°C on January 26.
#WATCH | Delhi | Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR, as air quality improves.
— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2026
Drone visuals from Mayur Vihar shot at 7:15 am. pic.twitter.com/zsbXtO2peu
Also Read | Delhi Breathes Easier in 'Moderate' Air After Rain, But Relief May Be Short-Lived - Will It Rain Today?
Meteorologists said the cold spell is likely to be short-lived. A western disturbance is expected to impact the region from January 27, which could change wind patterns and push minimum temperatures upward. The IMD has issued a yellow alert, forecasting one or two spells of light rain in the capital on Monday.
Delhi’s maximum temperature was 18.2°C on Saturday, around two degrees below normal, and is expected to rise slightly by 1–2°C early next week.
GRAP Revoked but CAQM Cautions Remain
In light of the improvement in air quality and favourable forecast trends, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect on January 22. Stage III restrictions include curbs on construction and demolition activities and the use of certain categories of diesel vehicles.
However, CAQM cautioned that winter conditions remain volatile and weather patterns may not always remain favourable. To prevent a fresh deterioration in air quality, authorities urged citizens to strictly adhere to the citizen charter under GRAP Stages I and II, which include restrictions on waste burning, regulation of industrial emissions, and measures to control vehicular pollution.
As per AQI classification standards, readings between 101 and 200 are categorised as ‘moderate’, while higher levels are classified as ‘poor’, ‘very poor’, and ‘severe’. Officials said continuous monitoring would remain in place to ensure that air quality levels do not worsen in the coming days.
