CAQM Issues Statutory Direction for Stricter Particulate Matter (PM) Emission Norms in Industries across Delhi-NCR

• CAQM Direction No. 98 (21 Feb 2026) prescribes a uniform PM emission cap of 50 mg/Nm³ for identified industries across Delhi-NCR, tightening the existing fragmented industry-specific standards.
• Issued under the CAQM Act, 2021, it represents the use of CAQM's exclusive statutory powers to override/supplement standards under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Relevance: links air-pollution governance, federalism in NCR, industrial emission technology, and public-health/right-to-clean-air jurisprudence — high-yield for GS-III (Environment) and GS-II (Statutory Bodies).