As Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen, the city’s government has directed all public offices and private organisations to operate with no more than 50% of employees on-site, while the remaining staff must work from home. The order was issued on Monday by the Department of Environment and Forests in response to rapidly deteriorating pollution levels.
A dense layer of smog enveloped the national capital on the morning of 24 November 2025, significantly reducing visibility and raising health concerns among residents.
According to the order, all private workplaces within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi must strictly follow the 50% attendance rule. Offices have also been encouraged to adopt staggered working hours, promote remote working wherever possible, and minimise vehicular travel linked to office commutes to help reduce emissions.
Essential services—including hospitals, public and private healthcare facilities, fire services, public transportation, electricity, water supply, sanitation departments, and emergency services—are exempt from these restrictions.
The directive comes amid consistently hazardous pollution levels. Delhi recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 382 on Monday, with more than 15 monitoring stations reporting readings above 400, edging into the ‘severe’ category.
Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows the following average AQI levels over the past week:
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Sunday: 391
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Saturday: 370
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Friday: 374
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Thursday: 391
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Wednesday: 392
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Tuesday: 374
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Last Monday: 351
As per CPCB standards:
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0–50: Good
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51–100: Satisfactory
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101–200: Moderate
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201–300: Poor
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301–400: Very Poor
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401–500: Severe
Authorities have stated that all pollution-control measures are being implemented with full seriousness and continuous monitoring. Delhi has also introduced staggered office timings for municipal and government departments to reduce peak-hour congestion. Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been in effect since November 11.
