Delhi marks Diwali 2025 under GRAP Stage II as air turns 'very poor'
Delhi celebrated Diwali on 20 October 2025 with Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan in force across NCR, after CAQM invoked it on 19 October when Delhi's hourly AQI crossed 300.
Summary
Delhi celebrated Diwali on 20 October 2025 under Stage II ('Very Poor', AQI 301â400) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), in force across the National Capital Region. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) sub-committee on GRAP invoked it on 19 October after Delhi's daily average AQI reached 296 ('Poor') and its hourly AQI rose to 300 at 6 pm and 302 at 7 pm. The 12-point Stage II action plan applies on top of Stage I, in force since 14 October. Business Standard and The Indian Express reported that Delhi's air was in the 'very poor' category on Diwali, with some monitoring stations in the 'severe' range.
Key facts
- Diwali
- 20 Oct 2025
- GRAP Stage II
- 'Very Poor' (AQI 301â400); 12-point action plan
- Invoked
- 19 Oct 2025 by CAQM sub-committee on GRAP
- Trigger
- Daily AQI 296; hourly 300 (6 pm) and 302 (7 pm)
- Stage I
- In force since 14 Oct 2025
- Diwali-day air
- 'Very poor', some stations 'severe' (media)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), in force in Delhi-NCR on Diwali 2025, corresponds to which AQI band?
Show answer
Correct answer: B â 301â400 ('Very Poor')
CAQM order: Stage-II of GRAP corresponds to 'Very Poor' air quality, Delhi AQI 301â400.
Before Stage II was invoked on 19 October 2025, since when had Stage I of GRAP been in force in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: D â 14 October 2025
CAQM order: Stage-I of the extant GRAP was in force vide order dated 14.10.2025; Stage-II was added on 19.10.2025.
Consider the following statements about the invocation of GRAP Stage II in October 2025: 1. It was invoked by the Central Pollution Control Board. 2. It involves a 12-point action plan applied across the entire NCR in addition to Stage I actions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B â 2 only
Only 2 is correct. CAQM: the Sub-Committee on GRAP of the Commission for Air Quality Management (not CPCB) invoked the 12-point Stage II plan across the entire NCR, in addition to Stage I; CPCB only supplies the AQI bulletin.