Delhi's October average AQI 166, lowest in eight years
The Environment Ministry said on 31 October 2026 that Delhi's monthly average air quality index (AQI) for October was 166, the lowest in the last eight years. The figure concerns the everyday life and health of people living in Delhi.
What this means for you
For people in Delhi, this tells them the air this October was better than in the October of several recent years. But the year's figures also show that 84 days still had air in the poor to severe-plus category. Ordinary people do not need to fill any form or apply for anything; this is only an official record of air quality.
Key facts
- October 2026 average AQI: 166
- October 2025 average AQI: 223
- October 2018 average AQI: 269
- 1 January to 31 October 2026 average AQI: 167
- 220 days from January to October 2026 had air in the good to moderate category
- 84 days in the same period had air in the poor to severe-plus category
What has happened
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said on 31 October 2026 that Delhi’s monthly average air quality index (AQI) for October was 166. According to the Ministry, this is the lowest October average AQI in the last eight years.
AQI, or air quality index, is a number that shows how much pollution is in the air. Generally, a lower number means better air.
How it compares with earlier years
The Ministry said Delhi’s average AQI in October 2025 was 223. In October 2024 it was 234, in 2023 it was 219, in 2022 it was 210, in 2021 it was 173, in 2020 it was 265, in 2019 it was 234 and in 2018 it was 269.
So this October’s average was lower than the October of all these years.
The first ten months of the year
From 1 January to 31 October 2026, Delhi’s average AQI was 167. In the same period it was 170 in 2025, 184 in 2024, 172 in 2023, 187 in 2022, 179 in 2021, 156 in 2020, 192 in 2019 and 201 in 2018.
According to the Ministry, between January and October 2026 there were 220 days in Delhi when the air was in the good to moderate category, meaning the daily average AQI on those days was below 200. In 2025 such days numbered 200, in 2024 they were 201, in 2023 they were 206, in 2022 they were 160, in 2021 they were 197, in 2020 they were 224, in 2019 they were 175 and in 2018 they were 157.
What the pollution particles show
From 1 January to 29 October 2026, the average PM 2.5 concentration was 69 micrograms per cubic metre. In the same period it was 72 in 2025, 83 in 2024, 76 in 2023, 81 in 2022, 82 in 2021, 71 in 2020, 88 in 2019 and 93 in 2018.
In the same period, the average PM 10 concentration was 171 micrograms per cubic metre. In 2025 it was 166, in 2024 it was 186, in 2023 it was 174, in 2022 it was 191, in 2021 it was 182, in 2020 it was 147, in 2019 it was 197 and in 2018 it was 216.
Who is affected
This figure concerns everyone living in Delhi, because air quality affects all of them. The Ministry said that between January and October 2026 there were also 84 days when the air was in the poor to severe-plus category, meaning the daily average AQI on those days was above 200. In 2025 such days numbered 104, in 2024 they were 104, in 2023 they were 98, in 2022 they were 144, in 2021 they were 107, in 2020 they were 81, in 2019 they were 129 and in 2018 they were 147.
What next
According to the Ministry, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is working with various stakeholders to prevent, control and reduce air pollution in Delhi-NCR and to improve air quality. Efforts to further improve the air in Delhi-NCR will be stepped up in the coming days.
Ordinary people do not have to fill any application or form in connection with this news. It is only an official record of air quality.
Questions and answers
What was Delhi's average AQI in October 2026?
166. According to the Ministry, this is the lowest for October in the last eight years.
What was Delhi's AQI last October?
The average AQI in October 2025 was 223. This year it was 166.
How many days in 2026 had good to moderate air in Delhi?
220 days between January and October 2026. On those days the daily average AQI stayed below 200.
Do ordinary people need to do anything?
No. This is only an air quality figure; no application or form is needed.
What is AQI?
AQI, or air quality index, is a number that shows how much pollution is in the air. A lower number generally means better air.
Source: PIB, "दिल्ली में अक्टूबर का औसत वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (एक्यूआई) पिछले आठ वर्षों में सबसे कम 166 दर्ज किया गया", 31 October 2026. Read the original notice
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