Delhi Air Pollution Crisis: GRAP Rules Updated, Key Details Inside

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has tightened the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and the NCR, following strong observations from the Supreme Court on the worsening air quality. The updated schedule, first issued in December 2024, has now been revised after a fresh hearing on 17 November 2025 and a detailed review by the CPCB’s GRAP Sub-Committee.

Here’s a crisp look at what’s new in the revamped plan:

Stage 1 (Earlier Stage 2)

The entry-level stage of the action plan now carries stronger measures:

• Uninterrupted power supply to prevent the use of diesel generators.
• Smarter traffic management with personnel at key junctions to reduce congestion.
• Public alerts through newspapers, TV, and radio to guide citizens on pollution levels and safety steps.
• Boosted public transport with more CNG/electric buses, increased metro frequency, and incentives for off-peak travel.

Stage 2 (Earlier Stage 3)

The entry-level stage of the action plan now carries stronger measures:

• Staggered office timings for government and municipal offices across Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.
• State governments may extend this to other NCR cities.
• The Central government will also decide whether to stagger office timings for its establishments in the region.

Stage 3 (Earlier Stage 4)

The toughest measures under GRAP now include:

• 50% workforce capacity for public, municipal, and private offices, with the remaining staff working from home.
• The Central government may allow WFH for its employees in Delhi-NCR.

Authorities across the region have been asked to implement these revised measures immediately. With pollution levels continuing to challenge daily life, the updated GRAP aims to bring quicker, more effective relief while pushing both governments and citizens to adapt responsibly.