Diwali 2025: India’s Air Quality Index and Fireworks Impact
During Diwali 2025, India faced hazardous air quality, primarily due to firecracker use and other pollution factors across states.
| State/UT | Average AQI (Night Time) |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 344 |
| Haryana | 402 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 350 |
| Punjab | 320 |
| Bihar | 280 |
| Rajasthan | 260 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 250 |
| Maharashtra | 250 |
| Gujarat | 240 |
| West Bengal | 220 |
| Jharkhand | 210 |
| Chhattisgarh | 200 |
| Karnataka | 190 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 180 |
| Telangana | 180 |
| Tamil Nadu | 170 |
| Kerala | 150 |
| Assam | 140 |
| Odisha | 130 |
| Goa | 120 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 110 |
| Uttarakhand | 100 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 90 |
| Tripura | 80 |
| Nagaland | 70 |
| Manipur | 60 |
| Mizoram | 50 |
| Meghalaya | 40 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 30 |
| Sikkim | 20 |
| Puducherry | 50 |
| Chandigarh | 200 |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 30 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 100 |
| Ladakh | 20 |
| Lakshadweep | 10 |
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India during Diwali, a time when fireworks illuminate the night sky, frequently renders the air hazardous, complicating breathing.
On October 20, 2025, the use of firecrackers exacerbated pollution levels in various cities, despite prohibitions in certain regions.
This article examines the projected state-wise AQI figures for Diwali night, elucidates the reasons why some states experienced more severe air quality, and investigates the factors contributing to the smog.
The estimates are derived from real-time data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the SAMEER app for the evening of October 20 and the morning of October 21, along with trends from previous Diwali celebrations, as comprehensive reports for 2025 will not be available until early November.
The estimate for 2025 indicates a national average AQI of approximately 280 (Poor to Very Poor) on Diwali night, representing a 20% increase from the pre-Diwali average of 230.
Delhi ranked highest with an AQI of 344 (Very Poor) at 10 PM on October 20, reaching a peak of 451 (Severe) by the following morning.
Haryana was not far behind at 402 (Severe), followed by Uttar Pradesh at 350 (Very Poor), and Punjab at 320 (Very Poor).
In contrast, southern states such as Tamil Nadu (170, Moderate) and Kerala (150, Moderate) performed better. Northeastern states like Meghalaya (40, Good) and Sikkim (20, Good) enjoyed cleaner air.
Smaller Union Territories like Lakshadweep (10, Good) and Ladakh (20, Good) experienced minimal pollution.
These statistics are based on CPCB/SAMEER measurements from 5-10 urban monitoring stations in each state, reflecting areas heavily impacted by fireworks.
What caused some states to suffer from smog while others enjoyed clearer air? Let us analyze the situation.
Reasons for the Poor Air Quality in Certain States
Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh
Delhi experienced an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 344, which deteriorated to 451, primarily due to extensive fireworks usage and the accumulation of pollutants.
With a population of 20 million, Delhi utilized 500 tonnes of firecrackers during Diwali 2024, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and similar trends were observed in 2025 despite a prohibition.
The low wind speeds of 5 km/h and winter fog trapped PM2.5 particles, resulting in a Severe AQI.
Haryana recorded an AQI of 402, largely influenced by Gurgaon’s 402, which was attributed to firecracker usage and the burning of crop stubble, contributing an additional 30% to PM2.5 levels, as reported by IITM data in 2024.
Uttar Pradesh had an AQI of 350, with Noida reaching 407, facing comparable challenges, as 40% of its rural regions disregarded firecracker restrictions, according to CPCB 2024.
Punjab and Bihar
Punjab’s AQI of 320 was a result of stubble burning across 10,000 fields in October 2024, which accounted for 25% of the pollution, as per the Punjab Pollution Control Board.
Fireworks in urban areas such as Ludhiana further elevated the AQI.
Bihar’s AQI of 280, with Patna at 340, was indicative of urban firecracker usage and dust from 100,000 construction sites, according to CPCB 2024, exacerbating air quality for 130 million residents.
Maharashtra and West Bengal
Maharashtra recorded an AQI of 250 (with Mumbai ranging from 250 to 300) and West Bengal had an AQI of 220 (Kolkata at 220), indicating spikes in urban pollution.
Mumbai’s population of 12 million ignited 200 tonnes of firecrackers, as estimated by BMC in 2024, while celebrations in Kolkata contributed an additional 15% to PM10 levels.
Coastal winds aided in maintaining the AQI within the Poor range, in contrast to the northern states.
Southern and Northeastern States
Tamil Nadu (170) and Kerala (150) benefitted from coastal winds that cleared pollutants, with Chennai and Kochi implementing 50% stricter bans compared to Delhi, according to CPCB 2024.
Northeastern states such as Meghalaya (40) and Sikkim (20) experienced low AQI levels due to their sparse populations (under 3 million) and limited fireworks activity.
The rural environment and significant rainfall (200 cm annually) contributed to maintaining clean air.
Small UTs
Lakshadweep (10) and Ladakh (20) experienced favorable AQI levels due to their small populations (below 1 lakh) and the absence of firecracker markets.
The island and high-altitude environments inherently restrict pollution.
What Causes High AQI on Diwali?
Various factors contribute to the increase in pollution and the differences observed between states.
Fireworks and PM2.5
Firecrackers emit PM2.5 and PM10, elevating AQI by 20-30%, according to CPCB 2024. The 500 tonnes of fireworks in Delhi in 2024 resulted in a 25% increase in PM2.5 levels.
Northern states such as Haryana utilized 300 tonnes, exacerbating air quality issues.
Weather and Geography
Low wind speeds (5-10 km/h) and winter fog in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh trap pollutants, as reported by IITM 2024.
In contrast, southern states like Tamil Nadu benefit from 15 km/h coastal winds, which help disperse smog more rapidly. The northeastern hills in Sikkim aid in the dispersion of particles.
Stubble Burning
The 15,000 stubble fires in Punjab and Haryana during October 2024 contributed an additional 20-30% to AQI levels, according to CPCB.
Uttar Pradesh’s 5,000 fires further deteriorated rural air quality, unlike southern states that have less agricultural activity.
Weak Enforcement
The firecracker ban in Delhi, implemented in 2024, achieved only 50% compliance, with 200 FIRs recorded, based on police data.
Stricter enforcement in Tamil Nadu (80% compliance) resulted in lower AQI levels. In rural Uttar Pradesh, bans were largely disregarded.
How we got these figures?
The average AQI of 280 is derived from CPCB/SAMEER real-time data (Delhi: 344, Haryana: 402) collected from October 20-21, 2025, and cross-verified with 2024 Diwali trends (Delhi: 359).
Rural underreporting (20% of stations) and hourly fluctuations may distort estimates. Comprehensive CPCB data could modify AQI by ±10%.
How Can India Clean Its Air?
India requires more robust measures. Implementing bans, as demonstrated by Tamil Nadu (50% reduction in firecrackers in 2024), effectively lowers pollution levels.
Punjab’s fines for stubble burning in 2024 led to a 10% decrease in fires. Public awareness campaigns, which reached 30% of Delhi’s population in 2024, encourage a greener Diwali.
The introduction of air purifiers in 20% of urban schools has facilitated better breathing for children.
Source
- Central Pollution Control Board. (2024). Air quality monitoring and analysis: Diwali 2024. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
- System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAMEER). (2025). Real-time AQI data: October 20-21, 2025. Central Pollution Control Board.
