← 9 November 2026's Current Affairs · Environment GS-3 Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★★☆
Delhi smog turns severe after Deepavali as firecracker ban is defied
Why in News?
Delhi hit 'severe' despite a ban: who actually enforces GRAP, a Prelims favourite on air pollution
Post-Deepavali smog pushed several Delhi stations into the 'severe' band despite the firecracker ban.
Why it matters: GS-3 core; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
Air quality in Delhi stayed in the 'very poor' category and reached 'severe' at about 20 monitoring stations on Deepavali night as people defied the firecracker ban, with pollution in parts of the city over 50 times the WHO limit.
Curbs in Delhi-NCR follow the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which is enforced by the Commission for Air Quality Management.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- Delhi air stayed 'very poor' and touched 'severe' at about 20 monitoring stations on Deepavali night despite the firecracker ban.
- Pollution in parts of the city was over 50 times the WHO limit.
- Curbs in Delhi-NCR follow the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
- GRAP is enforced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
- AQI categories run from Good, Satisfactory, Moderate, Poor and Very Poor to Severe.
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- The Graded Response Action Plan is a set of emergency measures that are invoked in stages as the Air Quality Index worsens in Delhi-NCR.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management, not the Central Pollution Control Board, invokes GRAP stages across the National Capital Region.
- The Air Quality Index groups pollution into six categories, with 'Severe' being the worst band.
Mains
GS Paper 3 (Environment and Pollution). Recurring post-festival smog shows the gap between a firecracker ban and its enforcement; GRAP and the CAQM provide a graded, region-wide framework. The way forward lies in stricter local enforcement, cleaner alternatives, tackling stubble burning, vehicular and construction dust, and coordinated action among NCR states.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
In Delhi-NCR, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for air pollution is enforced by which body?
- Commission for Air Quality Management
- Central Pollution Control Board
- National Green Tribunal
- Delhi Pollution Control Committee
Show answer
Answer: A — Correct: Commission for Air Quality Management — The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas enforces GRAP stages. • Central Pollution Control Board — wrong: The CPCB sets national standards and monitors, but GRAP is invoked by the CAQM. • National Green Tribunal — wrong: The NGT is a judicial body that hears environmental cases and does not enforce GRAP. • Delhi Pollution Control Committee — wrong: The DPCC acts on directions but the plan is invoked by the CAQM for the whole NCR.
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