Delhi AQI is'severe': GRAP-4 is back in place. Are schools not in session? What the advisory stated

All government and private schools, regardless of board, are subject to the decree.

Following the imposition of limits under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan in the national capital due to a precipitous decline in air quality, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) ordered all schools on Wednesday to implement hybrid classes for students up to Class 9 and that of Class 11.

The region's air quality index soared from 275 on Tuesday to 396 around 6 p.m. on Wednesday due to a combination of calm breezes, low temperatures, and fog.

All government and private schools, regardless of board, are subject to the decree.

"All Heads of Schools of Government, Government Aided, Unaided Recognized Private Schools of DOE, NDMC, MCD," the directive read.and Delhi Cantonment Board are instructed to use a "Hybrid Mode"—that is, both in-person and online—when teaching students in schools up to Class IX & XI."

According to GRAP standards, there are four phases for AQI: Severe (AQI 401-450), Very Poor (AQI 301-400), Poor (AQI 201-300), and Severe Plus (AQI beyond 450).

All building activities and the entry of non-essential, polluting trucks into Delhi are prohibited under stage 4 limitations.

Due to excessive air pollution, Delhi-NCR schools were completely moved online earlier in November. ButHowever, because entirely online lessons were not a practical answer, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered schools to maintain a "hybrid mode" option.

The weather in Delhi
The air quality index in Delhi deteriorated on Thursday, with multiple areas reaching an AQI of 400 or above, placing them in the "severe" category. Throughout the week, the nation's capital is also seeing heavy fog and mild rain.

With gloomy skies, light rain, pollution, and shallow fog in the morning, the IMD has issued a yellow advisory for all of Delhi, which is expected to last until Sunday.