Outside the usual range20 September 2026Environment
Punjab: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 20 September 2026 was 148, above the 5-year median of 113 for the same week (+31%).
What happened
- 7-day mean to 20 September 2026
- 148
- That day alone: 140
- 5-year median, same week
- 113
- Change
- +35
- Change, per cent
- +31%
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 71, 2024 121, 2023 113, 2022 113, 2021 96. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 September 2026 | 140 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 20 September 2026 (243 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–11, Index Value column: highest of 8 city rows placed in Punjab — Mandi gobindgarh, S.No 150 (p.8), Moderate |
| 19 September 2026 | 140 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 19 September 2026 (243 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–11, Index Value column: highest of 7 city rows placed in Punjab — Mandi gobindgarh, S.No 151 (p.8), Moderate |
| 18 September 2026 | 139 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 18 September 2026 (249 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–11, Index Value column: highest of 8 city rows placed in Punjab — Mandi gobindgarh, S.No 154 (p.8), Moderate |
| 17 September 2026 | 139 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 17 September 2026 (245 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–11, Index Value column: highest of 8 city rows placed in Punjab — Mandi gobindgarh, S.No 154 (p.8), Moderate |
| 16 September 2026 | 174 | CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 16 September 2026 (233 cities) | AQI bulletin p.1–10, Index Value column: highest of 7 city rows placed in Punjab — Khanna, S.No 127 (p.7), Moderate |
| 15 September 2026 |
Source and method
- Release
- CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 20 September 2026 (243 cities)Archived fileOriginal URLFirst seen 3 Oct 2026
More signals for highest city air quality index in Punjab
- Punjab: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 23 September 2026 was 156, above the 5-year median of 108 for the same week (+44%).
- Punjab: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 16 September 2026 was 157, above the 5-year median of 108 for the same week (+45%).
- Punjab: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 12 September 2026 was 138, above the 5-year median of 113 for the same week (+22%).
Cite this
According to the India Health Observatory, Punjab: highest city air quality index over the 7 days to 20 September 2026 was 148, above the 5-year median of 113 for the same week (+31%). Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB National Air Quality Index bulletin, 20 September 2026 (243 cities). https://indiahealthobservatory.com/signals/worst-city-aqi--punjab--2026-09-20--baseline_breach
See also Punjab and 140 AQI in context.