Outside the usual range22 September 2026Environment
India: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 22 September 2026 was 260, above the 5-year median of 205 for the same week (+27%).
What happened
- 7-day mean to 22 September 2026
- 260
- That day alone: 302
- 5-year median, same week
- 205
- Change
- +55
- Change, per cent
- +27%
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 highest city air quality index, lower is better. This movement is therefore assessed as a deterioration.
Historical context
Same week in earlier years: 2025 202, 2024 249, 2023 205, 2022 198, 2021 219. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 September 2026 | 302 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 22 September 2026 (243 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–13, Index Value column: highest of all 243 city rows — Khora, S.No 130 (p.7), Very Poor |
| 21 September 2026 | 286 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 21 September 2026 (242 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–13, Index Value column: highest of all 242 city rows — Baraut, S.No 28 (p.2), Poor |
| 20 September 2026 | 293 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 20 September 2026 (243 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–13, Index Value column: highest of all 243 city rows — Saharsa, S.No 203 (p.11), Poor |
| 19 September 2026 | 203 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 19 September 2026 (243 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–13, Index Value column: highest of all 243 city rows — Modinagar, S.No 159 (p.8), Poor |
| 18 September 2026 | 215 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 18 September 2026 (249 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–13, Index Value column: highest of all 249 city rows — Modinagar, S.No 161 (p.9), Poor |
| 17 September 2026 | 222 |
Source and method
- Release
- CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 22 September 2026 (243 cities)Archived fileOriginal URLFirst seen 3 Oct 2026
More signals for highest city air quality index in India
- India: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 5 September 2026 was 248, above the 5-year median of 210 for the same week (+18%).
- India: highest city air quality index of 138 on 3 September 2026 is the lowest since 4 September 2025.
- India: highest city air quality index of 157 on 2 September 2026 is the lowest since 7 September 2025.
- India: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 30 August 2026 was 210, below the 5-year median of 256 for the same week (−18%).
- India: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 22 August 2026 was 237, above the 5-year median of 197 for the same week (+20%).
Cite this
According to the India Health Observatory, India: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 22 September 2026 was 260, above the 5-year median of 205 for the same week (+27%). Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 22 September 2026 (243 cities). https://indiahealthobservatory.com/signals/worst-city-aqi--india--2026-09-22--baseline_breach
See also India and 302 AQI in context.