Delhi Air Quality Remains Very Poor; IIT Delhi Records Highest AQI of 428
New Delhi, November 15, 2026: Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category on Sunday morning, with the national capital recording an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 350, according to the Sameer app. The IIT Delhi monitoring station recorded the highest AQI in the city at 428, placing it in the 'severe' category.
Data from the city's 54 monitoring stations showed that 47 stations recorded 'very poor' air quality, while seven stations reported 'severe' conditions. ITO recorded the second-highest AQI at 414.
Delhi AQI on November 15: Key Readings
| Particulars | AQI / Details |
|---|---|
| Delhi's overall AQI | 350 |
| IIT Delhi | 428 |
| ITO | 414 |
| Total monitoring stations | 54 |
| Stations in very poor category | 47 |
| Stations in severe category | 7 |
IIT Delhi Records Highest AQI
The IIT Delhi monitoring station recorded an AQI of 428, the highest among the 54 monitoring stations considered in the report. ITO followed with an AQI of 414.
Both readings fall in the severe category under India's AQI classification. The overall city AQI, however, remained in the very poor category at 350.
Delhi Weather Update
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which was 5.1 degrees below the seasonal average.
The weather department forecast a cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle. The maximum temperature was expected to reach around 27 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity stood at 91 per cent at 8:30 am.
What Do the AQI Categories Mean?
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's classification, the AQI is divided into six categories:
| AQI Range | Air Quality Category |
|---|---|
| 0–50 | Good |
| 51–100 | Satisfactory |
| 101–200 | Moderate |
| 201–300 | Poor |
| 301–400 | Very Poor |
| 401–500 | Severe |
An AQI of 350 places Delhi's overall air quality in the very poor category, while IIT Delhi's station-level reading of 428 falls in the severe category.
Why Monitoring Station Readings Matter
Air quality can vary across different parts of a city. Individual monitoring stations record local conditions, while the overall city AQI provides a broader picture of pollution levels.
The November 15 readings show that although Delhi's overall AQI was 350, several monitoring locations experienced more severe pollution, including IIT Delhi and ITO.
Residents can follow official air quality updates through government monitoring platforms for the latest readings and local conditions.
FAQs
1. What was Delhi's overall AQI on November 15, 2026?
Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 350 on Sunday morning, placing the city in the very poor category.
2. Which monitoring station recorded the highest AQI in Delhi?
IIT Delhi recorded the highest station-level AQI at 428.
3. What was the AQI recorded at ITO?
ITO recorded an AQI of 414.
4. How many monitoring stations recorded very poor air quality?
A total of 47 out of 54 monitoring stations reported very poor air quality.
5. How many stations recorded severe air quality?
Seven monitoring stations recorded air quality in the severe category.
6. What is the difference between very poor and severe AQI?
An AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as very poor, while readings between 401 and 500 are classified as severe.
7. What was Delhi's minimum temperature on November 15?
The minimum temperature was recorded at 18.6 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.
8. What weather conditions were forecast for Delhi?
The IMD forecast a cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle and a maximum temperature of around 27 degrees Celsius.
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