New Delhi – A comprehensive analysis has revealed that the contribution of farm fires to Delhi pollution has decreased significantly this year compared to previous winters. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) released a report on Saturday demonstrating that stubble burning’s role in deteriorating the Capital’s air quality has diminished substantially, offering a glimmer of hope amid persistent pollution challenges.
Dramatic Reduction in Contribution Levels
The CREA report on Delhi pollution farm fires impact shows remarkable improvement in key metrics. The average contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM 2.5 levels in November 2025 stood at just 7%, a steep decline from 20% recorded during the same period last year. This threefold reduction represents significant progress in addressing one of the Capital’s major seasonal pollution sources.
More impressively, the peak contribution of Delhi pollution farm fires fell to 22% this November, compared to 38% in November 2024. The report, based on continuous ambient air monitoring and Decision Support System (DSS) modelling, provides data-driven evidence of the declining impact of agricultural burning on urban air quality.
Fewer High-Pollution Days Recorded
The analysis of Delhi pollution farm fires reveals substantial changes in the frequency of high-contribution days. November 2025 recorded 20 days with farm fire contribution between 0-10%, a dramatic increase from only two such days in November 2024. This shift indicates more consistent lower-level impact throughout the month.
Days when Delhi pollution farm fires contribution ranged between 11-20% decreased from 14 last year to just six this year. Most significantly, the 30% contribution threshold has not been crossed in 2025, contrasting sharply with four such days recorded in November 2024. These statistics demonstrate measurable progress in controlling agricultural burning’s impact on Delhi’s air quality.
Overall Air Quality Status
Despite the reduced contribution of Delhi pollution farm fires, the Capital still experienced challenging air quality conditions. November concluded with 24 ‘very poor’ air days, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranged between 301 and 400. The month also recorded three ‘severe’ days with AQI exceeding 400, and three ‘poor’ days with AQI between 201 and 300.
Analysts note that while pollution levels remained fairly high, fewer days with peak levels prevented the abrupt “emergency-like” spikes that characterized many previous winters. Manoj Kumar, analyst at CREA, emphasized that Delhi’s pollution would have been considerably worse had the Delhi pollution farm fires contribution matched last winter’s levels.
Sharp Decline in Farm Fire Incidents
Data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), which tracks fires for the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), corroborates the CREA findings on Delhi pollution farm fires. Punjab recorded 5,114 farm fires until November 30, 2025, down dramatically from 10,909 last year.
The five-year trend shows consistent reduction: 36,663 fires in 2023, 49,922 in 2022, 71,304 in 2021, and 83,002 in 2020. This represents an approximately 94% decrease from 2020 levels, indicating successful implementation of anti-stubble burning measures.
Haryana Shows Similar Progress
Haryana’s statistics align with the broader trend in Delhi pollution farm fires reduction. The state recorded just 662 fires this year, the lowest figure in five years. This compares to 1,406 fires last year, 2,303 in 2023, 3,661 in 2022, 6,987 in 2021, and 4,202 in 2020.
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The consistent downward trajectory across both major agricultural states surrounding Delhi indicates coordinated efforts and effective policy implementation in reducing stubble burning practices.
Factors Behind the Reduction
Several factors contributed to the decreased impact of Delhi pollution farm fires this year. Punjab experienced floods that delayed the harvest season, pushing back the typical farm fire timeline. Additionally, an early Diwali meant the combined contribution of both festival-related pollution and agricultural burning was avoided in terms of impact on Delhi’s air quality.
Kumar explained that stubble burning peaked in the second week of November, coinciding with Delhi’s pollution spike. However, with stubble burning season concluded, current pollution primarily stems from the city’s usual year-round sources.
Data Accuracy and Broader Patterns
Experts acknowledge potential gaps in satellite-based Delhi pollution farm fires tracking, with some fires possibly going unrecorded. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at CSE, noted that while exact figures may not be fully accurate due to timing of satellite passes, the overall reduction trend is well-established through both in-situ and ex-situ measures.
She added that the lower peak contribution from Delhi pollution farm fires has reflected in Delhi’s AQI peaks, which have been lower than previous years.
Persistent Challenges Remain
While the CREA report highlights reduced Delhi pollution farm fires impact, it cautions that winter pollution remains at unsafe levels. The marginal relief from fewer farm fires will not translate into sustained improvement unless year-round emissions from transport, industry, waste burning, and power generation are comprehensively addressed.
The report emphasizes that while progress on agricultural burning is encouraging, Delhi’s air quality challenges require multifaceted solutions targeting all pollution sources throughout the year.
