EnvironmentMonday, 9 November 2026·The Hindu - National
Delhi PM2.5 spikes to 66 times WHO limit after Deepavali crackers, November 2026
On 9 November 2026, Delhi’s PM2.5 levels touched 993 µg/m³ in Punjabi Bagh, exposing the scale of post-Deepavali pollution.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 9 November 2026, official DPCC data showed Delhi’s PM2.5 levels surging after Deepavali, with Punjabi Bagh touching 993 micrograms per cubic metre at 4 a.m., which is about 66.2 times the WHO’s 24-hour guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic metre.
Key specifics
- Punjabi Bagh recorded 993 µg/m³ at 4 a.m. on 9 November 2026, about 66.2 times the WHO limit of 15 µg/m³.
- Vivek Vihar recorded 873 µg/m³ at 2 a.m. on 9 November 2026, about 58.2 times the WHO guideline.
- R.K. Puram recorded 924 µg/m³ at 10 p.m. on 8 November 2026, about 61.6 times the WHO guideline.
- Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 370 at 9 a.m. on 9 November 2026, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
- DPCC data were unavailable for several hours at stations including Anand Vihar, R.K. Puram and Bawana.
Exam lens
Environment MCQ focus: PM2.5 unit, WHO 24-hour guideline, Delhi AQI category, and DPCC monitoring stations; a likely TNPSC question may ask which locality crossed 900 µg/m³ or what 370 AQI means.