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Delhi ranks as world's most polluted major city

Published

Swiss group IQAir's live ranking gave Delhi a US air quality index reading of 581 at 10:35am local time on Saturday. India ordered schools in and around the city to offer online classes ahead of Diwali.

India also encouraged people to work from home. Officials braced for worse smog as people prepare to use firecrackers for Diwali.

India's Central Pollution Control Board gave a lower figure. It put Delhi's air quality index at 363 at 10am, in the very poor category.

IQAir gave Lahore in Pakistan a US air quality index reading of 285.

Key facts

Who
IQAir (Swiss group whose live ranking placed Delhi most polluted); Central Pollution Control Board (Indian body that put Delhi's air quality index at 363)
What
IQAir's live ranking placed Delhi first among the world's major cities on Saturday morning, with a US air quality index reading of 581, as India ordered schools in and around Delhi to offer online classes and encouraged work from home ahead of Diwali. India's Central Pollution Control Board put Delhi's AQI at 363 at 10am, in the "very poor" category.
When
7 November 2026
Where
Delhi, Lahore, India
Status
Reported

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