GRAP and Delhi Air Pollution: Current Situation, Measures and Impact

Q: What is the main objective of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?

The primary objective of GRAP is to prevent further deterioration of air quality in Delhi–NCR by enforcing pre-defined emergency measures when pollution crosses critical AQI thresholds.

Q: Who is responsible for implementing GRAP?

GRAP is implemented under the supervision of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), and its directions are binding on the governments of Delhi and NCR states.

Q: Why is GRAP applicable only to Delhi–NCR?

Delhi–NCR experiences recurrent and severe air pollution episodes due to a combination of high emissions and unfavourable meteorology, making a region-specific emergency framework necessary.

Description

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Picture Courtesy: Down to Earth

Context:
Authorities in Delhi and the National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR) invoked the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV on December 13, 2025, as air quality worsened to hazardous levels.

Must Read: GRAP |

What is the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a pre-defined emergency framework designed to curb air pollution in the Delhi–National Capital Region (NCR) when air quality worsens beyond acceptable limits. Instead of ad-hoc measures, GRAP ensures a systematic and timely response as pollution levels rise.
The plan was approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and formally notified in 2017. It was developed through extensive consultations among environmental experts, state governments, and regulatory authorities, with the objective of creating a rule-based mechanism to tackle recurring air pollution episodes in the region.
A key feature of GRAP is its graded and cumulative nature. As air quality deteriorates from one category to another, measures from earlier stages continue along with additional, stricter actions, ensuring a proportionate response aligned with pollution severity.
Stages of GRAP based on Air Quality Index (AQI):
Stage I (Poor): Activated when AQI ranges between 201–300
Stage II (Very Poor): Comes into force when AQI is 301–400
Stage III (Severe): Implemented when AQI reaches 401–450
Stage IV (Severe+): Triggered when AQI exceeds 450, indicating hazardous conditions
Picture Courtesy: Indian Express
Current level of pollution in Delhi:
Delhi is presently experiencing extremely poor air quality, with pollution levels remaining in the severe to severe+ category. The Air Quality Index has consistently stayed well above safe limits, indicating hazardous conditions for public health.
Delhi’s AQI is in the hazardous/severe+ range, significantly above safe limits. (Source: AQI)
Different monitoring sources show values roughly between 360 to 500+, indicating very poor to hazardous air quality. (Source: AQI).
Some locations are reporting AQI near 498, one of the worst readings today.
In parts of the NCR (like Noida), AQI is also above 460, ranking among the most polluted in the country right now.
Difference between AQI AND GRAP:

Aspect	Air Quality Index (AQI)	Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
Basic Meaning	AQI is a scientific indicator that reflects the current status of ambient air quality by converting pollutant concentrations into a single, easy-to-understand value.	GRAP is a policy-driven action framework that translates worsening air quality conditions into mandatory regulatory and administrative responses.
Primary Purpose	Its purpose is to inform citizens, policymakers, and health agencies about how polluted the air is at a given time and the associated health risks.	Its purpose is to control and prevent further deterioration of air quality by prescribing timely interventions once pollution crosses critical thresholds.
Nature of Functioning	AQI functions as a diagnostic and monitoring tool, continuously tracking pollution levels across monitoring stations.	GRAP functions as a corrective and preventive mechanism, activated in stages as pollution severity increases.
Basis of Operation	AQI is calculated using real-time data on pollutants such as PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, CO and O₃.	GRAP relies on AQI categories to trigger pre-defined actions, ensuring responses are rule-based rather than ad-hoc.
Geographical Scope	AQI is applied nationwide across cities and regions in India for public information and health advisories.	GRAP is region-specific, designed exclusively for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) due to its recurrent pollution episodes.
Stages / Levels	AQI is divided into categories such as Good, Satisfactory, Poor, Very Poor, Severe and Severe+, indicating rising health risk.	GRAP is divided into four cumulative stages (I to IV), each corresponding to worsening AQI categories.
Role in Decision-Making	AQI provides the evidence base, highlighting the severity and trend of pollution.	GRAP provides the decision pathway, outlining what authorities must do at each pollution level.
Outcome for Citizens	AQI primarily results in health advisories and awareness, guiding individual behaviour such as reducing outdoor exposure.	GRAP directly affects daily life by restricting activities like construction, vehicular movement, office functioning and school operations.
Overall Relationship	AQI acts as the signal and warning system for air pollution.	GRAP acts as the institutional response, converting warnings into concrete action.

Conclusion:
The current air pollution situation in Delhi–NCR remains critical, with AQI levels persisting in the severe to severe+ range, posing serious health risks to all sections of the population. Unfavourable winter meteorological conditions have aggravated pollutant accumulation, necessitating the activation of GRAP-IV. While emergency measures may provide temporary relief, the episode underscores the need for sustained, long-term structural solutions to address the region’s recurring air quality crisis.
Source: Down to Earth

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Practice Question

With reference to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), consider the following statements:

1. GRAP is a rule-based framework that prescribes emergency actions based on Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.

2. Measures under GRAP are cumulative, meaning actions from earlier stages continue to apply in higher stages.

3. GRAP is implemented uniformly across all major cities of India experiencing severe air pollution.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct because GRAP links predefined actions to AQI thresholds.
Statement 2 is correct as GRAP follows a graded and cumulative approach.
Statement 3 is incorrect because GRAP is specific to Delhi–NCR, not applicable nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The primary objective of GRAP is to prevent further deterioration of air quality in Delhi–NCR by enforcing pre-defined emergency measures when pollution crosses critical AQI thresholds.

GRAP is implemented under the supervision of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), and its directions are binding on the governments of Delhi and NCR states.

Delhi–NCR experiences recurrent and severe air pollution episodes due to a combination of high emissions and unfavourable meteorology, making a region-specific emergency framework necessary.