Topic3 stories
CAQM
Every story on CAQM in the news so far, newest first, with the key Prelims facts and the previous-year questions UPSC has asked on it.
In the news
- Delhi's winter curbs kick in as CAQM orders pre-emptive NCR curbs for 5 to 20 November 1 November 2026 · Indian Express
Can Delhi stop its November smog by acting before the air turns 'Severe', instead of after?
- Delhi's September AQI hits a five-year low even as PM2.5 and PM10 levels rose 2 October 2026 · Indian Express
How can the air quality index improve while the main pollutants get worse? The answer is in how the index is built.
- Stiff 'red entry' rules in land records to curb farm fires 19 September 2026 · Indian Express
A mark on your land record for burning stubble. Will it work?
Key facts
- Delhi's Winter Action Plan 2026-27 began on 1 November 2026, barring non-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi until 31 January 2027. (1 November 2026)
- CAQM issued directions on 30 October 2026 under Section 12 of the CAQM Act, 2021 for 5 to 20 November 2026. (1 November 2026)
- Delhi's average AQI in September 2026 was 102, the lowest September average in five years (105 in 2025). (2 October 2026)
- Despite this, PM10 rose from 104 to 106 µg/m³ and PM2.5 from 35 to 39 µg/m³ in September, according to CPCB data cited by The Indian Express. (2 October 2026)
- The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas was set up under the CAQM Act, 2021. (19 September 2026)
- Paddy stubble is burnt because the gap between rice harvest and wheat sowing is short. (19 September 2026)
Previous-year questions
- 2021 · GS3 · 10 marks Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India's…
- 2020 · GS3 · 15 marks What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India?
- 2020 · GS3 · 15 marks What are the major factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India?
- 2016 · Prelims In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? 1. Carbon dioxide 2. Carbon monoxide 3. Nitrogen dioxide 4. Sulfur…