Delhi’s air quality remains ‘severe’; Schools are switching to hybrid mode up to class 5

The air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘severe’ category on Wednesday (November 12). Authorities have invoked Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Phase 3 as the national capital remains shrouded in a thick layer of toxic smoke.

Delhi schools are conducting classes in hybrid mode from today till Class 5 amid deteriorating air quality.

An order issued by the Directorate of Education on November 11 said, “Heads of all government, government aided, unaided recognized private schools of DOE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes in hybrid mode i.e. both physical and online mode (wherever online mode is possible) for children up to class V in the schools with immediate effect until further orders.” The decision to impose GRAP Stage 3 restrictions was taken after Delhi’s average air quality index (AQI) increased from 362 on Monday to 425 on Tuesday morning due to calm winds, stable atmosphere and adverse weather conditions, which allowed pollutants to accumulate close to the surface.

As claimed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index in the area around India Gate and the duty path is 408 in the ‘severe’ category.

#Watch Delhi As claimed by the CPCB, the area around India Gate and the duty path is covered with a thick layer of toxic smoke, as the AQI in the area is in the ‘severe’ category of 408. pic.twitter.com/wnxGt4gCx4

– ANI (@ANI) 12 November 2025

The city’s average AQI on Tuesday (November 11) was 428 on a scale of 0 to 500, the worst since December 19, 2024, when the index reached 451. The last ‘severe’ AQI in Delhi was recorded at 406 on December 23, 2024.

An AQI between 401 and 500 is considered “severe” and can affect the health of even healthy individuals, while causing serious respiratory problems in people with pre-existing conditions.