16 January 2026·PIB

CAQM invokes GRAP Stage-III in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect

In this note

1. At a Glance

GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) = emergency, stage-wise pollution-control mechanism for Delhi-NCR, triggered by AQI thresholds and activated by the CAQM Sub-Committee [1][2].
Stage-III ("Severe", AQI 401–450) was invoked on 16 January 2026 in entire Delhi-NCR after Delhi's AQI rose from 343 (15 Jan) → 354 (16 Jan) with IMD/IITM forecasts predicting breach of 400 [1].
High examinable salience: intersects environment (GS-III), federal coordination (GS-II), and a statutory body created by Act of 2021 [3].

On 16 Jan 2026, the CAQM Sub-Committee invoked the 9-point Stage-III action plan of the extant GRAP across NCR with immediate effect [1][2].
Stage-III curbs were revoked on 22 Jan 2026 after AQI improvement and favourable forecasts [2].

GRAP first notified by MoEFCC in 2017 based on a Supreme Court-mandated framework via EPCA; revised "extant GRAP" administered by CAQM since 2022 [2].
EPCA (1998) — the predecessor body — was dissolved when CAQM was created [3].
CAQM Ordinance promulgated Oct 2020, lapsed Mar 2021, re-promulgated Apr 2021; CAQM Act, 2021 passed by Parliament — Bill introduced in Lok Sabha on 30 July 2021 [3].
GRAP stages restructured into 4 tiers keyed to AQI bands: I (Poor 201-300), II (Very Poor 301-400), III (Severe 401-450), IV (Severe+ >450) [1][2].

Parent Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) [1].
Statutory base: Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 [3].
Jurisdiction: NCR + adjoining areas of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi [3].
Trigger body: Sub-Committee on GRAP of CAQM [1].
AQI bands: Good 0-50, Satisfactory 51-100, Moderate 101-200, Poor 201-300, Very Poor 301-400, Severe 401-500 (CPCB scale) [1].
Stage-III = "Severe": AQI 401–450 [2].
Forecasting inputs: IMD + IITM (Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune) [1].

Ban on non-essential construction & demolition (incl. earthwork, piling, trenching, road work).
BS-III petrol & BS-IV diesel LMV (4-wheeler) restrictions in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar.
NCR govts/GNCTD may order public/private offices at 50% strength + WFH.
Intensified mechanised road sweeping, water sprinkling, dust mitigation.

Environmental: Tackles PM2.5/PM10 spikes from vehicles, construction dust, biomass; GRAP is reactive, not preventive [1][2].
Legal/Constitutional: CAQM Act, 2021 overrides conflicting state laws; decisions binding on Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP; non-compliance punishable with imprisonment up to 5 years and/or fine up to ₹1 crore [3].
Administrative/Federal: Replaces multiple overlapping bodies (EPCA, state boards' fragmented action) with single supra-state Commission for coordinated response [3].
Economic: Construction halt + 4-wheeler curbs hit MSMEs, daily-wage labour, logistics; trade-off between health & livelihood [2].
Social/Health: Vulnerable groups (children, elderly, outdoor workers) most exposed during Severe AQI episodes [1].
Scientific: Reliance on IMD–IITM ensemble forecasts marks shift to anticipatory action vs. reactive thresholds [1].

16 Jan 2026: Stage-III invoked NCR-wide [1][2].
22 Jan 2026: Stage-III revoked on AQI improvement [2].
Prior 2025 winter season also saw multiple Stage-III/IV invocations and revocations as part of routine winter response [2].

CAQM is a statutory body under the CAQM Act, 2021 — not a constitutional body [3].
CAQM replaced EPCA, which had been set up in 1998 under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 [3].
GRAP Stage-III AQI range: 401–450 ("Severe") [2].
Stage-IV = "Severe Plus" = AQI > 450 [2].
Stage-III invocation date in 2026 winter: 16 January 2026 [1].
GRAP triggered by Sub-Committee on GRAP of CAQM (not full Commission) [1].
Forecasting agencies feeding CAQM: IMD and IITM Pune [1].
Stage-III imposes ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs [2].
Stage-III 4-wheeler curbs apply to Delhi + Gurugram + Faridabad + Ghaziabad + Gautam Budh Nagar [2].
CAQM jurisdiction states: Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP [3].
CAQM Bill introduced in Lok Sabha on 30 July 2021 [3].
Penalty under CAQM Act: up to 5 years imprisonment and/or ₹1 crore fine [3].
CPCB's AQI scale uses 6 categories (Good to Severe) [1].
Delhi's AQI on 16 Jan 2026 at 4 PM = 354 (Very Poor) [1].

GS-III: Environment — Conservation, pollution, EIA.
GS-II: Statutory bodies; centre-state coordination; cooperative federalism.
Probable stems: 1. "GRAP is a reactive instrument in a problem that demands preventive action." Critically examine. 2. Discuss the institutional design of the CAQM, 2021 in addressing the limitations of EPCA in NCR air-quality governance. 3. Episodic emergency curbs like GRAP Stage-III impose disproportionate costs on the informal sector. Suggest a balanced framework.

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), 2019 — long-term abatement framework complementing GRAP.
CPCB & National AQI (2014) — measurement backbone for GRAP triggers.
Stubble burning & Punjab/Haryana paddy cycle — seasonal driver behind winter spikes.
Bharat Stage VI norms (2020) — vehicular emissions standards referenced in GRAP.
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — parent legislation for EPCA, ambient standards.
PM2.5 / PM10 & WHO Air Quality Guidelines (2021) — health benchmarks.
Smog towers & anti-smog guns in Delhi — technological interventions.
MC Mehta v. Union of India cases — SC jurisprudence on Delhi pollution.

Confusing CAQM (statutory, 2021) with EPCA (executive, 1998) — EPCA stands dissolved.
Mistaking GRAP as a CPCB or MoEFCC order — it is operated by CAQM's Sub-Committee [1].
AQI 400 is the upper bound of "Very Poor", not Severe — Severe begins at 401 [2].
Stage-III ≠ Stage-IV; odd-even, truck entry bans, school closures typically belong to Stage-IV (Severe+), not Stage-III.
CAQM covers NCR + adjoining areas in 5 states — not just NCT of Delhi.