Less than desirable Air Quality Index (AQI) figures were recorded on about 80 per cent of days since November 1, with the AQI in the moderate (yellow) category on 21 days. In comparison, despite Diwali, October reported only 13 days of AQI in the yellow, with the Laxmi Poojan day seeing an AQI in the poor (orange) category.
The main pollutants are ozone, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, assessed by mid-day. Last year, November recorded an AQI in the moderate category on 28 days and Poor on two days. Mumbai reported an average AQI of 126 on Thursday, 167 on Wednesday, 198 on Tuesday, and 168 on Monday this week. Between November 1 and November 6, Mumbai reported an AQI in the good and average category, under 100.
Smog impact
The city`s average AQI shot to 157 on November 7. On November 26, Mumbai reported the worst AQI this month, of 198, the major pollutant being ozone. Ozone, the main ingredient in smog, was the worst air pollutant on 12 days in November, while NO2 was the primary pollutant on 12 days. Ozone is a major component of air pollution and arises due to vehicular and industrial emissions.
According to information from IQAir, “Ozone is a secondary pollutant. While other pollutants are emitted directly into the air by various sources, ozone is created by sunlight acting on nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. When these pollutants react with sunlight, they create ground-level ozone. Sources of nitrogen oxide include motor vehicles, power plants, and volcanoes, among others.”
Daily AQI Readings
Nov 1: 40
Nov 2: 53
Nov 3: 49
Nov 4: 64
Nov 5: 68
Nov 6: 96
Nov 7: 157
Nov 8: 104
Nov 9: 109
Nov 10: 128
Nov 11: 158
Nov 12: 130
Nov 13: 143
Nov 14: 164
Nov 15: 159
Nov 16: 152
Nov 17: 139
Nov 18: 158
Nov 19: 156
Nov 20: 159
Nov 21: 157
Nov 22: 188
Nov 23: 176
Nov 24: 174
Nov 25: 168
Nov 26: 198
Nov 27: 167
Nov 28: 128
In a nutshell
November 2025
Moderate AQI: 22 days
Satisfactory AQI: 4 days
Good AQI: 2 days
October 2025
Poor AQI: 1 day
Moderate AQI: 12 days
Satisfactory AQI: 12 days
Good AQI: 6 days
November 2024
Poor AQI: 2 days
Moderate AQI: 28 days
October 2024
Moderate AQI: 9 days
Satisfactory AQI: 21 days
Good AQI: 1 day
