Delhi’s average AQI between Jan-May 2026 lowest in 8 years barring 2020
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi between January and May this year stands at 211, the lowest in eight years barring 2020, when pandemic-related curbs sharply brought down AQI levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said on Sunday.
The commission said the average AQI during this period stood at 214 in 2025, 231 in 2024, 213 in 2023, 238 in 2022, 235 in 2021, 181 in 2020, 237 in 2019, and 243 in 2018.
In a post on X, the CAQM said, “Delhi recorded 75 ‘Good to Moderate’ AQI days during January-May of 2026, as against 70 in 2025, 75 in 2024, 74 in 2023, 37 in 2022, 59 in 2021, 98 in 2020, 59 in 2019 and 44 in 2018 respectively, during the corresponding period.”
The commission also highlighted that the average AQI in Delhi during May this year -- recorded at 157 -- has been the lowest during the eight-year period, barring 2020 and 2021.
The average AQI for May stood at 170 in 2025, 223 in 2024, 171 in 2023, 212 in 2022, 144 in 2021 and 2020, 221 in 2019, and 217 in 2018, the CAQM said.
