Outside the usual range26 September 2026Environment
Puducherry: average air quality index over the 7 days to 26 September 2026 was 41, below the 4-year median of 54 for the same week (−24%).
What happened
- 7-day mean to 26 September 2026
- 41
- That day alone: 37
- 4-year median, same week
- 54
- Change
- −13
- Change, per cent
- −24%
Why it matters
Daily figures mostly reflect the weather, so the observatory compares the mean of the last seven days with the same week in up to five earlier years. A breach means this week sits well outside what those years would lead you to expect, and by at least 15%. It is reported when an unusual run begins and for the latest day while it lasts, not every day.
For average air quality index, lower is better. This movement is therefore assessed as an improvement.
Historical context
This is a small-sample figure (e.g. a single monitoring city). Same week in earlier years: 2024 55, 2023 48, 2022 53, 2021 60. Daily values are compared as 7-day means because a single day mostly reflects weather.
The underlying data
| Period | Value | Release | Where in the document |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 September 2026 | 37 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 26 September 2026 (243 cities) | AQI bulletin p.10, Index Value column: mean of 1 city row placed in Puducherry — Puducherry (p.10) |
| 25 September 2026 | 36 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 25 September 2026 (244 cities) | AQI bulletin p.10, Index Value column: mean of 1 city row placed in Puducherry — Puducherry (p.10) |
| 24 September 2026 | 52 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 24 September 2026 (245 cities) | AQI bulletin p.10, Index Value column: mean of 1 city row placed in Puducherry — Puducherry (p.10) |
| 23 September 2026 | 40 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 23 September 2026 (239 cities) | AQI bulletin p.10, Index Value column: mean of 1 city row placed in Puducherry — Puducherry (p.10) |
| 22 September 2026 | 35 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 22 September 2026 (243 cities) | AQI bulletin p.10, Index Value column: mean of 1 city row placed in Puducherry — Puducherry (p.10) |
| 21 September 2026 | 37 |
Source and method
- Release
- CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 26 September 2026 (243 cities)Archived fileOriginal URLFirst seen 3 Oct 2026
More signals for average air quality index in Puducherry
- Puducherry: average air quality index over the 7 days to 18 September 2026 was 62, above the 4-year median of 49 for the same week (+26%).
- Puducherry: average air quality index of 81 on 17 September 2026 is the highest since 1 June 2026.
- Puducherry: average air quality index of 75 on 16 September 2026 is the highest since 1 June 2026.
- Puducherry: average air quality index of 31 on 14 September 2026 is the lowest since 12 May 2026.
- Puducherry: average air quality index over the 7 days to 8 September 2026 was 55, above the 4-year median of 45 for the same week (+21%).
- Puducherry: average air quality index over the 7 days to 4 September 2026 was 47, above the 3-year median of 41 for the same week (+15%).
Cite this
According to the India Health Observatory, Puducherry: average air quality index over the 7 days to 26 September 2026 was 41, below the 4-year median of 54 for the same week (−24%). Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 26 September 2026 (243 cities). https://indiahealthobservatory.com/signals/air-quality-index--puducherry--2026-09-26--baseline_breach
See also Puducherry and 37 AQI in context.