Delhi’s Air Quality Hits ‘Severe’ Level; GRAP Stage III Enforced, Restrictions on Vehicles and Schools Tightened
As the air quality continues to deteriorate in Delhi, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage – III has been enforced with immediate effect on Tuesday. This had come after the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital had plunged into the ‘severe’ category for a brief period for the first time this season.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) November 11: The Centre on Tuesday ordered strengthening of anti-pollution measures under ‘Stage III’ of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after air quality plummeted to “severe” category in Delhi-NCR. Average AQI of the city, according to the commission for air quality management was 362 on Monday and rose significantly to 425 on Tuesday morning due to calm wind, stable atmosphere, and unfavourable environmental conditions that caused entrapment of pollutants near the surface.
Winter Worsens Conditions
During winter in Delhi-NCR, GRAP is imposed and air quality is classified into four stages — Stage I (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401 450) and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450). Adverse meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, paddy-straw burning and firecrackers along with other sources of local pollution worsen air quality in Delhi-NCR to hazardous levels during winters.
Centre Activates Stage III Measures
The CAQM, in its order of November 11, 2025, had directed immediate steps to be taken to mitigate further increase of the air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
The order said, “Accordingly, in an effort to prevent further deterioration of the air quality, the sub-committee on GRAP hereby decides to invoke all actions under Stage-II (‘Severe’ Air Quality) of the extant GRAP schedule, with immediate effect in right earnest by all agencies concerned in Delhi NCR, in addition to Stage-I and II actions already in force.”
Schools Shift to Hybrid Mode
It further directed that all schools heads in respect of their respective DoE (directorate of education), NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council),MCDs and Delhi Cantonment Board including the heads of government / government-aided / recognized private unaided schools shall take classes for students up to class 5 in hybrid mode along with physical and online mode wherever availability of online teaching may be there. Furthermore, school heads are expected to share this directive with the parents and guardians at the earliest.
Vehicle Restrictions Imposed
In Stage 3, the ban on BS III petrol cars and BS IV diesel four-wheelers also applies to Delhi and its adjacent NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempted.
The officials have advised residents to cut down on outdoor activities, particularly children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions, as agencies try to put the ordered measures in place regionwide.
