NEW DELHI: Delhi recorded its lowest average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the January-May 2026 in eight years, excluding 2020 when Covid-19 restrictions led to a sharp drop in pollution levels, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).Data released by the commission showed that the city’s average AQI between January and May 2026 stood at 211.In comparison, the average AQI was 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 noted that Delhi’s average AQI in May 2026 was 157, making it the lowest for the month in the last eight years, except for 2020 and 2021.According to the data, the average AQI in May was 170 in 2025, 223 in 2024, 171 in 2023, 212 in 2022, 144 in both 2021 and 2020, 221 in 2019 and 217 in 2018.The latest figures indicate an overall improvement in Delhi’s air quality, with the city recording a higher number of ‘Good’ and ‘Moderate’ air quality days compared with several previous years.
