After the revocation of GRAP III measures, hybrid classes for students up to Class 5, 50% staff strength in offices and the ban on BS-III and BS-IV vehicles will not apply anymore.
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
The Centre’s Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday revoked the stringent Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR), citing an “improvement” in air quality.
The Stage III curbs were imposed on November 11 when Delhi’s air pollution breached the 400 mark. After the easing of restrictions, hybrid classes for students up to Class 5, 50% attendance limits in public and private offices, and the ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers will no longer apply.
AQI 327 on Wednesday
The CAQM noted that Delhi’s average air quality index (AQI) has steadily improved from 391 on Sunday, 382 on Monday, 353 on Tuesday, and 327 on Wednesday. “Keeping in view the disruptive nature of Stage III restrictions impacting a large number of stakeholders and the trend of improvement in Delhi’s average AQI, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP today unanimously decided to revoke all actions under Stage III in the entire NCR, with immediate effect,” read the order.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 51 and 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’. Stage I of GRAP is invoked in the ‘poor’ category, Stage II in ‘very poor’, Stage III in ‘severe’, and Stage IV when the AQI exceeds 450.
The CAQM said that all actions under Stages I and II remain in force and must continue to be implemented, monitored, and reviewed across the NCR to prevent any deterioration of air quality. It also noted that construction and demolition project sites shut down for violations will not be allowed to resume operations without explicit approval from the commission.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in a video statement, said, “GRAP II is in effect in the Capital. Under this, the 50% work-from-home arrangement in offices has been discontinued, and the hybrid mode in schools has also been withdrawn. From now on, all arrangements will operate strictly according to GRAP II rules.” Provisions under GRAP II include staggered timings for public offices and increased vehicle parking fees to discourage private transport.
Air quality in Delhi-NCR worsens during winter due to a mix of adverse weather conditions, vehicle emissions, stubble burning in neighbouring States, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources.
Optional: Meanwhile, Delhi Congress leaders on Wednesday wore masks and carried oxygen cylinders to highlight the plummeting air quality in the national capital and demanded that the ruling BJP bring the city out of this “health emergency”.
“Our leaders are sitting here with oxygen cylinders. This is symbolic for now, but the situation Delhi is in, the day is not far when everyone will carry an oxygen cylinder with them,” Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav said at a press conference, adding that they will submit a memorandum to the government over the pollution crisis.
Published – November 27, 2025 01:17 am IST
