Delhi AQI at 175 on Oct 27 as haze blankets city, minimum temp hits season low
Synopsis
Delhi's air quality hit 175 AQI on 27 October — moderate overall, but pockets like CRRI Mathura Road and Jahangirpuri crossed into 'poor' territory above 250. With GRAP Stage 1 already triggered and the season's lowest temperature recorded two days running, the city is entering the window when pollution typically spikes sharply — and this year it's starting early.
Key Takeaways
Delhi's overall AQI stood at 175 on 27 October 2026 , placing it in the 'moderate' category per CPCB .
CRRI Mathura Road recorded the highest AQI at 257 , crossing into the 'poor' category; Jahangirpuri was close behind at 251 .
GRAP Stage 1 was invoked across Delhi-NCR by the CAQM on 21 October , restricting coal/firewood use and diesel generators.
All five major NCR cities — Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Greater Noida — remained in the 'moderate' category.
Delhi's minimum temperature hit a season-low of 16.2°C for the second consecutive day; the IMD forecasts light rain on Thursday–Friday due to a Bay of Bengal cyclonic system.
New Delhi woke up to a hazy, polluted morning on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, with the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 175 — placing it in the 'moderate' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The national capital is simultaneously experiencing its lowest minimum temperature of the season, as autumn tightens its grip on northern India.
Station-wise AQI Readings Across Delhi
Pollution levels varied significantly across the city's monitoring network. CRRI Mathura Road logged the highest AQI among listed stations at 257, pushing it into the 'poor' category. Other stations recording elevated levels included R.K. Puram at 230, Mundka at 229, Rohini at 239, Jahangirpuri at 251, IIT Delhi at 216, Dwarka Sector 8 at 223, Bawana at 214, and Sirifort at 214.
Comparatively cleaner readings were recorded at Badarpur (131), Vasundhara Enclave (130), and Burari (146). PM2.5 and PM10 were identified as the prominent pollutants in the city-level data, reflecting the seasonal pattern driven by vehicular emissions, construction dust, and stubble burning from neighbouring states.
NCR Cities Also in 'Moderate' Zone
Across the National Capital Region (NCR), all five major cities remained in the 'moderate' category as of 7 am IST, according to CPCB data. Gurugram recorded an AQI of 165, followed by Noida at 139, Ghaziabad at 133, Faridabad at 117, and Greater Noida at 115. PM10 and PM2.5 were the dominant pollutants across most NCR cities, with PM10 alone identified as the predominant pollutant in Faridabad.
GRAP Stage 1 Already in Force
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on 21 October, following a measurable deterioration in air quality. Under GRAP Stage 1, restrictions are in place on the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at hotels, restaurants, and open-air eateries. Diesel generator use is also curtailed, except for essential and emergency services. This is the earliest GRAP Stage 1 activation in several years, reflecting growing regulatory urgency ahead of the peak winter pollution season.
Season's Lowest Temperature Recorded for Second Straight Day
Delhi also recorded its lowest minimum temperature of the season for the second consecutive day on Monday, with the mercury settling at 16.2 degrees Celsius — 0.8 degrees below Sunday's reading of 17 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature was recorded at 31.4 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a further drop in temperatures, with light rain likely on Thursday and Friday due to a cyclonic system over the Bay of Bengal. The expected rainfall could temporarily ease pollution levels, though historically such brief wet spells offer only short-lived relief before conditions deteriorate again in November.
Point of View
But the intra-city spread — from 115 in Greater Noida to 257 at CRRI Mathura Road — shows that averages flatten a public health reality that is far patchier and worse for those in high-exposure corridors. GRAP Stage 1 was triggered six days ago, yet several stations are already brushing the 'poor' threshold; the policy machinery needs to move faster than the pollution cycle, not trail it. Historically, Delhi's air quality deteriorates sharply through November, and early GRAP activation is a belated acknowledgment that the window to act is narrow. The IMD's forecast of brief rain on Thursday offers cosmetic relief — the structural fix of stubble burning, vehicular load, and industrial emissions remains unresolved.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delhi's AQI today, 27 October 2026?
Delhi's overall AQI was recorded at 175 on 27 October 2026, placing it in the 'moderate' category according to CPCB data. CRRI Mathura Road was the worst-performing station at 257, falling in the 'poor' category.
What is GRAP Stage 1 and what restrictions does it impose in Delhi?
GRAP Stage 1 is the first level of the Graded Response Action Plan, invoked by the CAQM when Delhi-NCR's AQI deteriorates to a defined threshold. It restricts the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at hotels, restaurants, and open-air eateries, and limits diesel generator use to essential and emergency purposes. It was activated on 21 October 2026.
What is the minimum temperature in Delhi today?
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 16.2 degrees Celsius on Monday, the season's lowest for the second consecutive day and 0.8 degrees below Sunday's 17 degrees Celsius. The IMD forecasts further cooling with light rain expected Thursday and Friday.
Which areas in Delhi have the worst air quality on 27 October?
CRRI Mathura Road recorded the highest AQI at 257, followed by Jahangirpuri at 251, Rohini at 239, and R.K. Puram at 230. These stations crossed into or approached the 'poor' air quality category even as the city-level average remained 'moderate' at 175.
How does the NCR air quality compare to Delhi on 27 October?
All five major NCR cities were in the 'moderate' category as of 7 am IST on 27 October. Gurugram recorded the highest AQI at 165, followed by Noida at 139, Ghaziabad at 133, Faridabad at 117, and Greater Noida at 115, all per CPCB data.
