This has been revealed in a new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment or CSE, an organisation that monitors environmental issues. Air pollution in Delhi-NCR has worsened during the onset of winter (from October to mid-November) this year.
Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the CSE, said: “Pollution around Diwali serves as a critical ‘tipping point’ every year.
However, the elevated levels of particulate matter observed even before the festival this year indicate that the baseline level of pollution is higher compared to previous years. The figures indicate a significant surge in pollution this year, even before the festival.
The data was compiled through a detailed analysis of air quality information available on the Central Pollution Control Board’s portal, along with data on the contribution of various pollution sources (provided by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology) and traffic data obtained from TomTom. In both years, pollution spiked significantly a few days before Diwali. “There was a brief dip only towards the end of September, due to rainfall.
Sharanjit Kaur, Deputy Programme Manager at CSE said in 2026, pollution levels in Delhi during the period preceding winter were higher than in 2025. However, in the week leading up to the festival in 2026, the levels of toxic pollutants were notably higher-and the air quality worse-compared to previous years,” she said.
