Delhi’s air quality made headlines in July 2025, recording its cleanest July air in the last 10 years, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This improvement, as officials suggest, was driven by a combination of consistent monsoon rainfall, multi-agency pollution control measures, and increased environmental monitoring. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the month stood at 79, which falls under the “Satisfactory” category, making it the best figure recorded for July since CPCB began tracking AQI in 2015.

Rainfall: The Key Driver Behind the Decline in Pollution

Rainfall occurred on 23 of 31 days in July, effectively washing away airborne pollutants and leading to cleaner air. According to CPCB’s report:

• July 15 recorded the cleanest air with an AQI of 51, bordering the “Good” category.

• July 26 saw the worst air of the month, with an AQI of 136, still in the “Moderate” zone.

In total, 28 days were marked “Satisfactory” and only 2 as “Moderate”, a significant improvement from July 2024, which had 17 “Satisfactory” and 14 “Moderate” days, with the worst AQI reaching 138.

Comparative AQI: A Decade in Review

The CPCB also released a decade-long AQI dataset for July, offering perspective on this year’s achievement:

This steady decline in AQI over recent years culminated in this year’s standout performance.

Government Response and Policy Actions

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized that the results are not merely weather-related. In a statement on July 23, he said, “This is not just a weather-driven phenomenon. It reflects the impact of Delhi’s multi-agency implementation model, landfill action plans, and results-based governance.”

He also pointed out that as of July 23, Delhi had already matched 2024’s total of “Good”, “Satisfactory” or “Moderate” days – 118 days, showing a faster and cleaner air progression this year.

Delhi’s pollution control strategy includes:

• Landfill remediation

• Street-level cleaning

• Traffic and vehicle emissions management

• Real-time air monitoring and data transparency

Expert Opinions: Weather vs. Policy

Despite government optimism, environmental experts advised caution. Anumita Roychowdhury, air pollution specialist and Executive Director at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), highlighted the dominant role of monsoon rainfall:

“Monsoon rains wash away pollutants and bring down pollution levels. This year’s frequent and intense rainfall spells are the key factor,” she noted.

Roychowdhury also added that comprehensive emissions data is required to assess long-term policy effectiveness. Monsoon months are not ideal for gauging the success of anti-pollution initiatives, and the real test will come in winter, when weather support fades and pollution typically spikes.

Rainfall Figures Exceed Seasonal Averages

Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reveals that Delhi has already exceeded its long-period average rainfall for July:

• As of 8:30 AM on July 30, Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, recorded 220.2 mm of rain, exceeding the long-term July average of 209.7 mm.

• By 5:30 PM, an additional 15 mm of rainfall was recorded.

• Other weather stations reported the following:

  • Palam: 4.6 mm till 8:30 AM and 28.3 mm after.

  • Pusa: 37.5 mm and 12.5 mm in respective time frames.

  • Janakpuri: 11.5 mm in the afternoon.

Forecasts suggest that light to moderate rain is likely to continue through Thursday, followed by intermittent showers, thunder, and lightning in the coming days.

Looking Ahead: Seasonal Monitoring and Winter Preparedness

While the monsoon has certainly helped clean Delhi’s air, environmental stakeholders agree that sustained policy impact can only be measured over longer periods and during high-pollution seasons like autumn and winter. Key recommendations going forward include:

• Developing a season-neutral AQI analysis framework

• Expanding emissions inventory studies

• Encouraging public engagement in air-quality improvements

• Enhancing inter-state pollution control collaboration

The CPCB and the Delhi government have announced plans to intensify real-time monitoring and air quality forecasting tools for upcoming months, especially leading into October to December, when stubble burning and winter inversions typically degrade air quality.

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