{"id":87627,"date":"2026-10-29T17:57:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T12:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=87627"},"modified":"2026-10-29T17:58:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T12:28:32","slug":"graded-response-action-plan-grap-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/29-10-2026\/graded-response-action-plan-grap-2","title":{"rendered":"Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Limited Effectiveness in Curbing Pollution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that Delhi&#8217;s average winter AQI worsened from 280 in 2022\u201323 to 295 in 2025\u201326, despite the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Air Quality Index (AQI<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for effective dissemination of air quality information to people.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are six AQI categories, namely, <strong>Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants <strong>(PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb)<\/strong> for which short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ececec\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"997\" height=\"742\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-208.png\" alt=\"AQI\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87628\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ececec; aspect-ratio:1.34373125374925;width:593px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-208.png 997w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-208-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-208-768x572.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>GRAP is a framework implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR through progressively stricter measures based on AQI levels and forecasts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stage<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>AQI category<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Key measures<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stage I<\/td><td>Poor (201\u2013300)<\/td><td>Dust-control measures, road mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stage II<\/td><td>Very Poor (301\u2013400)<\/td><td>Enhanced public transport, increased parking fees and intensified dust control<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stage III<\/td><td>Severe (401\u2013450)<\/td><td>Restrictions on certain polluting vehicles and non-essential construction<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stage IV<\/td><td>Severe Plus (above 450)<\/td><td>Stricter vehicle controls and suspension of construction activities<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What\u2019s Really Causing Delhi\u2019s Air Quality Crisis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Delhi\u2019s Topography: <\/strong>Delhi is surrounded by natural barriers on two sides, in the north, the Himalayas and on the southwest side, the Aravalli Hills block wind movement.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As a result, polluted air cannot disperse and has nowhere to escape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Temperature Inversion (Urban Heat Island Effect):<\/strong> During winter, the air near the ground becomes cooler than the air above it.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This inversion layer traps pollutants (such as particulate matter and gases) close to the surface, preventing their vertical dispersion into the upper atmosphere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"a1cdd7\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"530\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-209.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87629\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a1cdd7; aspect-ratio:1.1321134960493906;width:439px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-209.png 600w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-209-300x265.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Low Wind Speeds:<\/strong> Winds are generally weaker in winter, which reduces horizontal dispersion of pollutants, allowing them to accumulate in the lower atmosphere.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crop Residue Burning:<\/strong> Each year, post-harvest stubble burning in neighbouring states such as Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh releases large amounts of smoke and particulate matter.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dust and Urban Pollution Entrapment:<\/strong> Local emissions from vehicles and combustion sources are the most significant contributors.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Urban dust and vehicular emissions linger longer in the atmosphere due to low boundary layer height in winter, compounding the pollution problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Steps Taken by the Government to Combat Air Pollution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):<\/strong> Launched in 2019, NCAP is a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing air pollution in identified cities and regions across India.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The programme focuses on improving air quality monitoring, implementing stricter emission standards, and promoting public awareness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) Emission Standards:<\/strong> The government implemented BS-VI emission standards for vehicles nationwide in 2020.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): <\/strong>It aims to provide clean cooking fuel to households by promoting the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as an alternative to traditional biomass-based cooking methods.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) Scheme:<\/strong> The scheme promotes the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce air pollution caused by vehicular emissions.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Green Initiatives for Sustainable Habitat (GRIHA):<\/strong> Developed by TERI and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, it serves as India&#8217;s national rating system for green buildings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Waste Management Programs<\/strong> including the <strong>Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,<\/strong> aim to address solid waste issues and promote cleaner disposal methods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Commission for Air Quality Management<\/strong>: <strong>CAQM<\/strong> was constituted under the <strong>Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Objective: <\/strong>The Act provides for the constitution of a Commission for better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Powers<\/strong> of the Commission include;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Preparing codes and guidelines<\/strong> to prevent and control air pollution,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Issuing directions<\/strong> on matters including inspections, or regulation <strong>which will be binding<\/strong> on the concerned person or authority.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Commission <strong>may impose and collect environmental compensation<\/strong> from farmers causing pollution by stubble burning prescribed by the central government.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Commission issues orders to combat air pollution in NCR under the <strong>Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In case of any conflict<\/strong>, the orders or directions of the Commission will prevail over the orders of the respective state governments, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state PCBs, and state-level statutory bodies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Emission reduction at source: <\/strong>Prioritise sustained reductions in emissions from transport, industries, construction, waste burning and other major pollution sources, rather than relying primarily on emergency restrictions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Airshed-based approach:<\/strong> Ensure coordinated pollution-control measures across Delhi-NCR and neighbouring states, recognising that air pollution extends beyond administrative boundaries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sector-specific interventions:<\/strong> Expand public transport, control road dust, enforce industrial emission standards and promote cleaner fuels and technologies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Evidence-based assessment:<\/strong> Regularly evaluate GRAP using emission trends, pollution-source data and weather conditions to distinguish the impact of restrictions from meteorological fluctuations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/cities\/delhi-news\/new-grap-failed-to-curb-pollution-in-10-of-12-episodes-study-101792692206900.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>HT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> A study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that Delhi&#8217;s average winter AQI worsened from 280 in 2022\u201323 to 295 in 2025\u201326, despite the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Air Quality Index (AQI) <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for effective dissemination of air quality information to people. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> There are six AQI categories, namely, Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/29-10-2026\/graded-response-action-plan-grap-2 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87627"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87631,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87627\/revisions\/87631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}