Environment Ministry Says CAQM Revoked GRAP Stage-I Across Entire NCR on 4 May 2026 After Delhi’s Average AQI Improved from 175 to 88
CAQM revoked GRAP Stage-I across the entire NCR on 4 May 2026 after Delhi’s average AQI improved from 175 on 3 May to 88 on 4 May because of rain and favourable weather. Forecasts indicated Satisfactory to Moderate air quality ahead. Agencies must still implement statutory directions, dust-control timelines and pollution-control rules.
pib.gov.in
Key Points for RAS
- CAQM’s GRAP Sub-Committee revoked all Stage-I actions across the entire NCR with immediate effect on 4 May 2026.
- Stage-I had been invoked through an order dated 16 April 2026 after Delhi’s average AQI showed an increasing trend.
- Delhi’s daily average AQI improved from 175 on 3 May 2026 to 88 on 4 May 2026.
- The improvement was attributed to rain and favourable meteorological conditions, as per the CPCB AQI bulletin.
- IMD and IITM forecasts indicated air quality likely remaining in the Satisfactory to Moderate category.
- Concerned agencies must continue implementing statutory directions, advisories, orders and pollution-control rules.
- The Commission specifically asked agencies to follow dust mitigation actions and targeted timelines.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reported on 4 May 2026 that the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas revoked all Stage-I actions across the entire NCR with immediate effect. The unanimous decision followed improvement in Delhi’s average air quality and forecasts from IMD and IITM indicating that air quality was likely to remain in the Satisfactory to Moderate category in the coming days.
Stage-I of the existing GRAP schedule had been invoked by the Sub-Committee through an order dated 16 April 2026, when Delhi’s average AQI had begun showing an increasing trend. The 4 May decision reversed that response after Delhi’s daily average AQI improved from 175 on 3 May 2026 to 88 on 4 May 2026. The Ministry attributed the improvement to rain and favourable meteorological conditions, citing the AQI bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board.
Revocation of Stage-I does not mean agencies can relax core pollution-control duties. The release said all agencies of the concerned State Governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi in NCR must continue implementing statutory directions, advisories and orders issued by the Commission. This includes rules and guidelines across contributing sectors.
The Commission also asked agencies to follow actions and targeted timelines set out in its comprehensive policy to curb NCR air pollution, particularly dust mitigation measures. The Sub-Committee will continue to keep a close watch on the air-quality scenario and review the situation from time to time, depending on Delhi’s air quality and forecasts from IMD and IITM.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 What did CAQM revoke on 4 May 2026?
It revoked all Stage-I actions under the Graded Response Action Plan across the entire NCR with immediate effect.
2 Why was Stage-I revoked?
Delhi’s daily average AQI improved from 175 on 3 May to 88 on 4 May because of rain and favourable weather, and forecasts were also better.
3 When had Stage-I been invoked?
It had been invoked by the GRAP Sub-Committee through an order dated 16 April 2026.
4 Which agencies still have responsibilities after revocation?
State Governments, the Government of NCT Delhi, pollution control boards and other concerned agencies must continue following statutory directions and rules.
5 What will the Sub-Committee do next?
It will keep watch on air quality and review decisions based on Delhi’s air quality and IMD and IITM forecasts.
Syllabus Topics
Subjects