GRAP Stage 2 Imposed as Delhi AQI Hits 324
Why in News?
- The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan across the entire National Capital Region on 2 November 2026, News On AIR reported.
- Delhi's Air Quality Index rose from 117 ("Moderate") on 31 October to 261 ("Poor") on 1 November and 324 ("Very Poor") on 2 November, according to The Tribune.
- Stage 2 applies when the index is between 301 and 400, and its measures add to Stage 1 actions already in force.
- The India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology expect air to stay "Very Poor" in the coming days.
- Paddy residue burning cases fell 26.63 per cent to 3,316 across seven states between 15 September and 1 November.
Key Terminologies
- Graded Response Action Plan
- A set of emergency steps that apply in stages as air quality worsens. Stage 2 is invoked when the Air Quality Index is between 301 and 400.
- Commission for Air Quality Management
- The statutory body that manages air quality in the National Capital Region and nearby areas. Its sub-committee on the Graded Response Action Plan issues the orders.
- Air Quality Index
- A single number that reports how polluted the air is, in bands such as Moderate, Poor and Very Poor. Delhi's 324 on 2 November falls in "Very Poor".
- Crop Residue Burning
- The burning of paddy stubble after harvest. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research tracks it by satellite through the CREAMS Laboratory at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
- Green Crackers
- Firecrackers certified by the CSIR-NEERI as having lower emissions. The Supreme Court allows only these in Delhi-NCR on 7 and 8 November.
Key Issues
- Sharp Deterioration: Delhi's Air Quality Index went from 117 on 31 October to 261 on 1 November and 324 on 2 November, Commission for Air Quality Management data cited by The Tribune show. A near threefold rise in two days leaves little time to respond.
- Weather, Not Only Stubble: The Tribune attributed the fall in air quality to "unfavourable meteorological conditions" and gave no figure for stubble's share. Calm winds trap local dust, vehicle and construction emissions.
- Fire Counts: Indian Council of Agricultural Research data show 3,316 paddy burning cases from 15 September to 1 November, with Punjab at 1,514 (about 46 per cent), Rajasthan 671 and Madhya Pradesh 566. The fall of 26.63 per cent is helpful, but the article gives no last-year figure.
- Festival Emissions: The Supreme Court order of 29 October allows only green crackers on 7 and 8 November, between 6 and 7 am and 8 and 10 pm, and restores a full ban from 9 November. Even certified crackers add particles.
- Structural Problem: Of 130 cities assessed under the National Clean Air Programme, only 14 met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 2025-26, Down To Earth reported. Emergency steps treat a problem that is present all year.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Early Action: Stage 2 was invoked on the day the index reached 324, inside the 301 to 400 band, which allows steps before air turns "Severe".
- Dust Control: The order directs more mechanical and vacuum sweeping, water sprinkling, dust suppressants and stricter inspection of construction and demolition sites. These target a main local source.
- Behaviour Nudges: Higher parking fees and advice to use public transport aim to reduce private vehicle use.
- Monitoring Tools: The PAVAN command centre tracks more than 3,200 active construction sites and 111 monitoring stations, The Tribune reported on 30 October, so violations can be spotted.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Reactive Design: GRAP steps begin only after air is already "Very Poor", so people breathe polluted air before action starts.
- Open Questions: The report does not give penalties for violations or an end date for Stage 2, so enforcement strength is unclear.
- Economic Cost: Construction and demolition work across the region is to stop from 5 to 20 November, according to The Tribune, which hurts workers paid by the day.
Key Initiatives
- Commission for Air Quality Management, Stage 2, 2 November 2026: It invoked all Stage 2 actions with immediate effect across the entire National Capital Region, including road sweeping, dust suppression, parking fees and staggered office timings.
- Supreme Court, 29 October 2026: It allowed only green crackers in Delhi-NCR on 7 and 8 November in fixed slots, banned crackers within 300 metres of hospitals, and restored the full ban from 9 November. Manufacture is limited to crackers listed by CSIR-NEERI.
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research: Its CREAMS Laboratory tracks paddy residue burning by satellite during Kharif 2026.
- National Clean Air Programme: The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, launched in 2022-23 under it, ranks cities on their actions, and Lucknow led cities above 1 million in 2026.
The Commission for Air Quality Management says it will review the air quality situation regularly and calls for public transport use and no open burning. It asks Resident Welfare Associations to provide electric heaters to security and sanitation staff to prevent biomass burning. The Stage 2 order has no stated end date.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Move early-warning triggers upstream by acting when forecasts show calm winds, not only when the index crosses 300.
- Publish daily source-wise figures for dust, vehicles, industry and stubble, so steps match causes.
- Pay compensation to construction workers during the 5 to 20 November halt.
- Report penalties issued and sites inspected under each stage every week.
GRAP Stage 2 is a necessary response but not a solution. The Commission acted promptly at 324, the Supreme Court set clear cracker limits, and stubble cases fell 26.63 per cent. Yet air worsened threefold in two days, no end date or penalty was reported, and only 14 of 130 cities meet national standards. In a Mains answer, credit the staged, evidence-based approach, then conclude that year-round source control must replace winter emergency measures.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GRAP Stage 2?
Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan applies when Delhi's Air Quality Index is between 301 and 400. The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked it across the entire National Capital Region on 2 November 2026, adding stricter dust control, higher parking fees and staggered office timings to Stage 1 actions.
What was Delhi's air quality on 2 November 2026?
Delhi's Air Quality Index was 324, in the "Very Poor" category, on 2 November 2026, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management data cited by The Tribune. It was 261 ("Poor") on 1 November and 117 ("Moderate") on 31 October.
When can firecrackers be burst in Delhi-NCR this Diwali?
The Supreme Court allows only green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on 7 and 8 November 2026, between 6 and 7 am and 8 and 10 pm. The full ban returns from 9 November, and crackers within 300 metres of hospitals and silence zones remain prohibited, The Tribune reported.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Commission for Air Quality Management invokes GRAP Stage 2 when the Air Quality Index is between 301 and 400.
Delhi's index of 324 on 2 November 2026 fell in this band.
2 The Supreme Court has allowed all types of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on Diwali 2026.
It allows only green crackers on 7 and 8 November, and restores the full ban from 9 November.
3 Crop residue burning is tracked by the ICAR-IARI CREAMS Laboratory through satellite remote sensing.
It recorded 3,316 paddy burning cases in seven states from 15 September to 1 November 2026.