CAQM sets stricter 50 mg/Nm³ particulate emission limit for industries across Delhi-NCR
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) issued Statutory Direction No. 98 on 21 February 2026, setting a uniform particulate matter emission limit of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified industries across Delhi-NCR.
Summary
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) issued Statutory Direction No. 98 on 21 February 2026, setting a uniform particulate matter (PM) emission limit of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified industries across Delhi-NCR. It covers the 17 categories of highly polluting industries identified by CPCB, red-category (medium and large) air-polluting industries, food processing units, textile units with boilers or thermic fluid heaters, and metal units with furnaces. The limit applies to large and medium industries from 1 August 2026 and to the remaining industries from 1 October 2026, based on CPCB recommendations drawing on IIT Kanpur studies. Static link: CAQM is a statutory body under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 (Act No. 29 of 2021), which replaced an ordinance under which the Commission was first constituted in April 2021.
Key facts
- Date
- 21 February 2026
- Instrument
- CAQM Statutory Direction No. 98
- Limit
- 50 mg/Nm³ particulate matter
- Large and medium units
- From 1 August 2026
- Other units
- From 1 October 2026
- Basis
- CPCB recommendations, IIT Kanpur studies
- Statute
- CAQM Act, 2021 (Act No. 29 of 2021)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
CAQM's Statutory Direction No. 98 of 21 February 2026 set what uniform particulate matter emission limit for identified industries in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: B — 50 mg/Nm³
The direction set a uniform PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ for the targeted industries across Delhi-NCR.
From which date does CAQM's 50 mg/Nm³ particulate emission limit apply to large and medium industries in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: B — 1 August 2026
Large and medium industries must comply from 1 August 2026; the remaining industries from 1 October 2026.
Consider the following statements about the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): 1. It is a statutory body under an Act of Parliament passed in 2021. 2. It was set up under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as a sub-committee of CPCB. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. CAQM is constituted under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 (Act No. 29 of 2021), not as a CPCB sub-committee.