The notification states that Delhi faces severe air pollution during winter months, with PM2.5 and PM10 levels exceeding prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The NCT of Delhi has been declared an Air Pollution Control Area under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide notification dated February 20, 1987. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued a revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) vide order dated November 21, 2025, categorizing air quality into four stages. The matter is stated to be under judicial monitoring by the Supreme Court of India. AQI data for 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 is stated to show deterioration between November 1 and February 15 each year. Various prior directions/notifications/administrative orders issued by GNCTD have been reviewed, consolidated, and subsumed into this direction, in supersession of all earlier directions/orders/notifications on the subject.

The direction covers three areas applicable to entities and persons in the NCT of Delhi: (1) Vehicle pollution control — enforcement of Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) requirements at fuel outlets, entry restriction from November 1 to January 31 on vehicles registered outside Delhi below BS-VI standards (with stated exemptions for CNG/electric and emergency/sovereign vehicles), doubling of parking charges from November 1 to February 28 (excluding DMRC-owned parking), staggered office timings for MCD and GNCTD offices, and 50% reduction in physical staff attendance in government and private offices from November 1 to January 31. (2) Dust pollution control — restrictions on demolition and outdoor construction activities during specified periods, a complete ban on construction/demolition from December 10 to January 20 (with stated exceptions), restriction on entry of construction-material vehicles during the same period, and mandatory installation of anti-smog guns or mist systems on specified categories of buildings and construction sites, per specifications in Annexures 1 and 2. (3) Prohibition on open burning — placing responsibility on RWAs, institutions, and establishments to prevent open burning within premises under their control, with enforcement, monitoring, and reporting responsibilities assigned to DPCC, Department of Revenue, and ULBs.

The notification states that stricter measures invoked under GRAP by CAQM shall prevail over these provisions. Violations are stated to be punishable under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, including prosecution, imposition of Environmental Compensation, and sealing/closure of premises.