Government of NCT of Delhi invokes Stage-III (‘Severe’ Air Quality) actions; Private Offices to operate with not more than 50% staff physically attending; effective immediately

The Department of Environment & Forest, Government of National Capital of Territory of Delhi (“DE&F, GNCTD”) has issued directions to implement Stage-III actions under the revised Graded Response Action Plan (“GRAP”) for ‘Severe’ air quality (Delhi AQI 401-450) vide its notification dated 24^th November 2025. This is effective immediately to prevent further air pollution.

Key Directions for Private Offices:

1. All private offices operating within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi are required to implement the following measures during the enforcement period of GRAP Stage III-
   1. Offices to operate with not more than 50% staff physically attending;
   2. The remaining staff must mandatorily work from home.
2. All private offices operating within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi are required to implement the following measures during the enforcement period of GRAP Stage III-
   1. Implement staggered working hours where feasible;
   2. Ensure strict compliance with work-from-home norms; and
   3. Minimise vehicular movement associated with office commute.
3. Exemptions– Hospitals and other public / private health establishments, Fire Services. Prisons, Public Transport, Electricity, Water, Sanitation and related municipal services, disaster management and related services, forest, environment, department/agencies engaged in air pollution control, monitoring and enforcement activities (like teams deployed to curb biomass burning, dust control, GRAP measures etc.) and other essential/emergency services are exempted from these direction.
4. Any violation of the direction is liable to punishment under Section 15 and Section 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (Imprisonment: Maximum – 5 years; or Fine: Maximum- Rs.1 Lakh; or Both; Continuing offence after conviction: Additional fine: Maximum – Rs.5,000 for each day would be imposed (after the first day of conviction); and  Continuing offence beyond 1 year after the date of first conviction: Imprisonment: Maximum – 7 year) and other applicable laws.

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Source: Government of National Capital of Territory of Delhi