This special report covers the intervention by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the severe air pollution crisis gripping Delhi-NCR. The focus is on vehicular pollution, with officials identifying that 37% of vehicles in the NCR are running on outdated emission standards.

Delhi far ahead of other states — but much of India remains polluted, as per Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air

Check the latest air quality index, pollution level, and smog conditions across Delhi and NCR with health safety advice and AQI category updates.

India's capital Delhi is blanketed in toxic smog every autumn, but the pollution is already so bad that it's drawn protests as authorities tell students to stay home.

A total of 23 people were arrested for allegedly blocking a road, obstructing police and using pepper spray at Delhi Police personnel during a protest at the India Gate on Sunday.

The police said they are also probing if protesters displayed posters of Maoist leader Madvi Hidma, who was recently killed in a gunfight with security forces.

Anti-pollution protests in Delhi turned political as demonstrators displayed pro-Maoist posters, leading to over 22 arrests. Police reported protester

Madvi Hidma masterminded several deadly ambushes on security forces, evaded multiple operations, led the Maoists' South Bastar operations wing, and trained new guerrilla recruits. His killing last week is seen as a major win for anti-Naxal forces.

A Delhi boss's X post went viral after he shared a WhatsApp message from his Gen Z employee who simply wrote 'won’t be able to work today, eyes are burning', amid severe pollution. The direct tone sparked a lively debate about Gen Z communication.

In the post, Srivastav shared a conversation where a Gen Z employee simply informed about taking leave due to Delhi’s pollution. In a short message, the employee wrote: “I won’t be able to work today, my eyes are burning.” Srivastav highlighted the candid style Gen Z employees often have, even when ordering leave instead of asking for it.

It’s easy to tell when it’s smog season in New Delhi; the air gets darker, heavier and starts scratching the throats and testing the lungs of the city’s 34 million residents.