For Prelims: Air Quality Index (AQI), PM2.5 and PM10, CAQM, Stubble burning, Full form of CAQM, Nodal body, Delhi's AQI on Nov 4, Stubble burning contribution to Delhi PM2.5
For Mains: Stubble burning, CAQM, GRAP, PM2.5, crop residue management, Delhi-NCR airshed
Source:
Indian Express
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Delhi's AQI on Nov 4, 2026 was 377 (Very Poor).
- CAQM issued show cause notices to 5 Punjab districts for stubble burning.
- Stubble burning contributed 16.28% to Delhi's PM2.5.
- 467 active farm fires were detected on Nov 4 across six states.
- CAQM is the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR.
Why in the news?
Delhi's AQI hit 377 (Very Poor), its worst in 288 days. The CAQM issued show cause notices to five Punjab districts for failing to control stubble burning, which contributed 16.28% to Delhi's PM2.5. The AQI is forecast to enter the Severe category during Diwali.
Summary
- CAQM issued show cause notices to DCs and SSPs of Jalandhar, Faridkot, Bathinda, Barnala and Fazilka (Punjab) for failing to curb stubble burning.
- Delhi's 24-hour average AQI reached 377 (Very Poor) on Nov 4, the worst in 288 days, with PM2.5 and PM10 as key pollutants.
- Stubble burning contributed 16.28% to Delhi's PM2.5, and the AQI is forecast to enter Severe category during Diwali weekend.
Highlights
Delhi AQI Hits 377
Delhi recorded its worst air in 288 days with a 24-hour average AQI of 377 (Very Poor), with PM2.5 and PM10 as the main pollutants.
CAQM Cracks Down on Stubble Burning
Show cause notices issued to five Punjab districts for failing to control paddy residue fires, taking the total to nine districts in four days.
Severe AQI Forecast for Diwali
Severe AQI Forecast for Diwali: AQI is forecast to deteriorate into the Severe category on Nov 6-7 (Friday-Saturday), with Diwali falling on Nov 7-8; unfavourable weather may keep AQI in the Severe category in the following days.
Background
Delhi-NCR faces severe air pollution every winter due to a combination of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and UP, local vehicular emissions, and unfavourable meteorological conditions (low wind speed, temperature inversion). The CAQM was set up in 2021 as a statutory body to tackle this through coordinated action. Stubble burning has been a persistent challenge despite legal bans and financial incentives under schemes like the Central Sector Scheme on Crop Residue Management.
Key Analysis and Impact
The CAQM's show cause notices to deputy commissioners and SSPs signal a shift towards holding local administration directly accountable for enforcement. With 467 active fire events detected across six states on a single day (Nov 4), the problem remains widespread. Punjab's cumulative fires (2,347) are lower than 2025 (2,839) and 2023 (14,173), showing some progress, but the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's PM2.5 (16.28%) is still significant. The transport sector (18.17%) is the largest local source, indicating the need for multi-sectoral action.
Way Forward
With Diwali on Nov 7-8 and AQI forecast to enter Severe category, emergency measures under GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage IV may be triggered. Longer-term, solutions include in-situ management of paddy straw (using decomposer microbes), ex-situ use in biomass power plants and co-firing in thermal plants, and crop diversification away from water-guzzling paddy. The legal accountability of district officials could serve as a strong deterrent.
AQI categories
| Category | AQI Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory | 51-100 | Acceptable |
| Moderate | 101-200 | May cause minor discomfort |
| Poor | 201-300 | May cause breathing discomfort |
| Very Poor | 301-400 | May cause respiratory illness |
| Severe | 401-500 | May cause health impacts even in healthy people |
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Air Quality Index (AQI)
- A numerical index used to communicate the level of air pollution in a given area. It is based on concentrations of key pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃). Categories: Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderate (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), Severe (401-500).
- PM2.5 and PM10
- Particulate Matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) and 10 micrometres (PM10). PM2.5 can penetrate deep into lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues. They are the main pollutants in Delhi's winter haze.
- CAQM
- Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas. A statutory body set up under the CAQM Act, 2021, to coordinate and enforce air quality management in Delhi-NCR. It can issue binding directions to states and local bodies.
- Stubble burning
- The practice of setting fire to leftover crop residue (paddy straw) after harvest to clear fields for the next crop. It is a major source of air pollution in north India during October-November.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Delhi's 24-hour average AQI on Nov 4, 2026 was 377 (Very Poor category).
- Nodal Body: Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).
- Legal Point: CAQM Act, 2021 (statutory body).
Don't make this mistake!
They may swap 'Very Poor' (301-400) with 'Severe' (401-500) or confuse the contribution of stubble burning (16.28%) with transport sector (18.17%). They may also ask the number of districts issued notices (5 on Nov 4, total 9 in 4 days) or the cumulative farm fires in Punjab (2,347 vs 2,839 in 2025).
Write these in mains answers
- Stubble burning, CAQM, GRAP, PM2.5, crop residue management, Delhi-NCR airshed
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Delhi's air got very bad on November 4, with the AQI reaching 377 (Very Poor). This means the air is unhealthy for everyone. One big reason is farmers in Punjab burning leftover paddy straw after harvest. The CAQM, a government body, sent warning letters to five district officials in Punjab for not stopping this practice. The air is expected to get even worse (Severe) during Diwali.
- Delhi's AQI on Nov 4, 2026 was 377 (Very Poor).
- CAQM issued show cause notices to 5 Punjab districts for stubble burning.
- Stubble burning contributed 16.28% to Delhi's PM2.5.
- 467 active farm fires were detected on Nov 4 across six states.
- CAQM is the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR.
- Environment: Air pollution and its control
- Governance: Regulatory bodies and their functions
Related concepts: Air Quality Index (AQI), PM2.5 and PM10, CAQM, Stubble burning
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which statutory body is primarily responsible for air quality management in Delhi-NCR?
Explanation: The CAQM, set up under the CAQM Act, 2021, is the nodal body for coordinating and enforcing air quality measures in Delhi-NCR. CPCB provides technical data, IITM runs the DSS model, and MoEFCC is the parent ministry, but the primary regulatory body is CAQM.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the air quality situation in Delhi-NCR on November 4, 2026:
- 1.Delhi's 24-hour average AQI was 377, classified as 'Very Poor'.
- 2.The transport sector contributed a higher share to Delhi's PM2.5 than stubble burning.
- 3.The CAQM issued show cause notices to the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: AQI was 377 (Very Poor). Statement 2 is correct: transport sector contributed 18.17% vs stubble burning's 16.28%. Statement 3 is incorrect: notices were issued to deputy commissioners and SSPs of specific districts, not to Chief Ministers.
- Q3Medium
How many active paddy residue burning events were detected across six northern and central states on November 4, 2026?
Explanation: ICAR-IARI satellites detected 467 active fire events across six states on Nov 4. 157 were in Madhya Pradesh (highest), 151 in Punjab, and 111 in Rajasthan. 2,347 is Punjab's cumulative tally since Sep 15.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the CAQM issuing show cause notices to district officials in Punjab?
Explanation: The notices were issued for 'non-compliance and contravention of the commission's directions' regarding stubble burning. The aim is to enforce existing bans by making district-level officials (DCs and SSPs) directly responsible. Fines on farmers or industrial emissions are not the focus here.
Frequently asked questions
1. What was Delhi's AQI on November 4, 2026?
Delhi's 24-hour average AQI was 377, classified as 'Very Poor' category, the worst in 288 days.
2. Which districts in Punjab received show cause notices from CAQM on November 4?
Jalandhar, Faridkot, Bathinda, Barnala and Fazilka districts received show cause notices for failing to control stubble burning.
3. What is the full form of CAQM?
Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas.
4. How many active stubble burning events were detected on November 4, 2026?
ICAR-IARI satellites detected 467 active paddy residue burning events across six northern and central states.
All sources
- Original4 November 2026 · Read story
