Delhi pollution: All GRAP restrictions revoked in national capital after air quality improves

All restrictions imposed in Delhi-NCR under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been lifted following a significant improvement in air quality, officials said on Monday.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said that due to favourable meteorological conditions, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 119 on Monday.

"Further, the forecast by IMD and IITM indicates that AQI is likely to remain in the moderate category in the coming days," an official said.


GRAP Stage 1 restrictions had been in force under an order issued on October 14, 2025.

With the revocation of these restrictions, curbs such as the ban on the use of coal and firewood as fuel in tandoors at hotels, restaurants and open eateries, and the use of diesel generators only for emergency or essential purposes, will no longer apply.

The GRAP framework has four stages, each triggered by prevailing AQI levels.

Stage 1 (GRAP-1) is implemented when the AQI ranges between 201 and 300, while Stage 2 (GRAP-2) is invoked when the AQI is between 301 and 400. Stage 3 (GRAP-3) comes into effect when the AQI ranges from 401 to 500, and Stage 4 (GRAP-4) is enforced when the AQI exceeds 450.

GRAP-4 restrictions were imposed on January 17 this year. As air quality improved, the stricter measures were gradually rolled back.

Stage 4 restrictions were lifted on January 20, followed by the revocation of GRAP-3 measures two days later. GRAP-2 restrictions were subsequently withdrawn on February 18.