The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas invoked Stage-III actions under the Graded Response Action Plan across the entire NCR with immediate effect. Officials said Delhi’s AQI rose from 343 at 4 p.m. on January 15, 2026 to 354 at 4 p.m. on January 16, 2026. A senior official said IMD/IITM forecasts indicated Delhi’s average AQI was likely to breach 400 and enter the ‘severe’ category due to slow wind speed, a stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters, and lack of dispersal of pollutants. GRAP Stage-III restrictions had been revoked on January 2, 2026, while measures under GRAP Stages I and II continued across the NCR.