According to the latest “Monthly Ambient Air Quality Snapshot” released by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), New Delhi was ranked the sixth most polluted city in India in October 2025, with a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 107 µg/m³. The Indian Express+2www.ndtv.com+2

This average is nearly three times higher than Delhi’s average in September (36 µg/m³). India Today+1 The worst-affected city was Dharuhera in Haryana at 123 µg/m³. ETHealthworld.com+1 Most of the top 10 most polluted cities in October were located within the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, underscoring the regional nature of the air-quality crisis. The Times of India

Interestingly, despite common perception, stubble burning — often blamed for Delhi’s pollution — contributed less than 6 % of Delhi’s PM2.5 in October. The CREA report stresses that year-round emission sources, not only seasonal ones, are driving the worsening air quality. www.ndtv.com+1

The implication: while measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are important, they may be insufficient. Long-term structural reforms focusing on traffic, construction dust, industrial emissions and regional coordination are needed.