Explainers · 4 min read
What GRAP Stage 3 bans in Delhi NCR this winter: cars, building work and schools
GRAP Stage 3 has been in force in Delhi NCR since 6 November 2026. Which cars are banned, and the rules for construction, schools and offices.
By the Good Air teamUpdated · First published 4 November 2026
In this article · 4 sections
GRAP Stage 3 has been in force across Delhi NCR since 6 November 2026. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked it as "a precautionary measure" (Bilkul Online, 6 November), before Delhi reached the 401 line: CPCB's 4 pm figure that day was 382, Very Poor (CPCB, 6 November), and IITM, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, forecast Severe air from 7 to 9 November (Business Today, 6 November).
Its rules ban most construction and demolition, take BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars off the roads of Delhi and nearby NCR districts, move classes up to Class 5 to hybrid teaching and allow half of office staff to be sent home. Stage 3 normally starts when Delhi's 24-hour average AQI passes 400 (Severe), or earlier if forecasts show it is about to, as they did this time.
When GRAP Stage 3 applies
GRAP, the Graded Response Action Plan, has four stages tied to Delhi's daily AQI in the 4 pm bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Each stage keeps everything from the stages below it.
| Stage | Delhi's 24-hour AQI | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 201 to 300 | Poor |
| Stage 2 | 301 to 400 | Very Poor |
| Stage 3 | 401 to 450 | Severe |
| Stage 4 | above 450 | Severe+ |
In winter 2026, Stage 1 came in on 21 October at 245, Stage 2 on 2 November at 324 (our Stage 2 report) and Stage 3 on 6 November at 382. Last winter, Stage 3 was in force across the NCR by 12 November 2025, after Delhi's air slipped into the Severe category (All India Radio News, 12 November 2025). In CPCB's bulletins, Delhi first passed 400 that season on 11 November 2025, at 428.
What GRAP Stage 3 bans
These are the main measures as reported from CAQM's orders, checked against reports of the 6 November order (The Pioneer, 6 November; Indian Opinion, 7 November). CAQM's own order is the final word; we could not open it on caqm.nic.in.
Cars and goods vehicles
- BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers may not be driven in Delhi or in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida and Greater Noida) (All India Radio News, 12 November 2025). Vehicles adapted for people with disabilities are exempt (Indian Opinion, above).
- New in 2026: Sonipat is added to the districts where these cars are restricted (The Pioneer, 29 September; ThePrint, 29 September).
- Diesel light commercial vehicles of BS-IV or older, registered outside Delhi, may not enter the city.
- New in 2026: the exemption for BS-IV and older goods vehicles carrying essential goods has been withdrawn at Stages 3 and 4 (The Pioneer, 29 September).
Not sure about your car? Its emission standard (BS-III, BS-IV, BS-VI) is on the registration certificate, or on the vehicle details in the Parivahan app. CNG and electric cars are not affected.
Construction and demolition
- A ban on non-essential construction and demolition across the NCR, including earthwork, piling, trenching, and road building and major repairs.
- Exempt: essential projects such as railways, Metro, airports, defence, sanitation and healthcare, under strict dust control (All India Radio News, 12 November 2025).
- Stone crushers and mining shut down.
Schools
State governments must run classes up to Class 5 in hybrid mode, online and in person, where possible (All India Radio News, 12 November 2025). Reports of the 6 November order describe hybrid classes in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat, with parents choosing between school and online (Indian Opinion, 7 November), though some reports say "online" (Business Today, 6 November). Wider online teaching is a Stage 4 measure. Your school or state education department announces the exact arrangement.
Offices
State government, municipal and private offices can be told to work with 50% of staff in the office and the rest from home; the state and Delhi governments decide how (The Pioneer, 6 November). We have not seen a 2026 order doing so yet. CAQM moved this from Stage 4 to Stage 3 in November 2025, and left the decision for central government offices to the Centre (All India Radio News, 22 November 2025). Office hours stay staggered, as under Stage 2.
What stays the same, and what Stage 4 adds
Stage 3 keeps every Stage 1 and Stage 2 rule: higher parking fees, no coal or firewood in eateries, curbs on diesel generators, more road cleaning and more Metro and bus services (GRAP Stage 2 rules).
Stage 4 applies above 450. It bans trucks entering Delhi except those carrying essential goods or running on CNG, electricity or BS-VI diesel, stops linear public projects such as highways and flyovers, and can move more classes online and close non-essential offices. Our GRAP explainer has all four stages.
Why Stage 3 came before Delhi reached 400
Delhi's 24-hour average had stayed in the Very Poor band all week: 350 on 3 November, 377 on 4 November, 369 on 5 November and 382 on 6 November, when Gurugram was 368, Faridabad 313 and Noida 303 (CPCB, 6 November). Single stations were already past 400 at 4 pm on 6 November: Jahangirpuri 449, DTU 445 and Bawana 428 (Business Today, 6 November). CAQM acted on the forecast of Severe air from 7 to 9 November, with Diwali on the 8th.
History points the same way. In every November from 2018 to 2025, Delhi had at least 3 Severe days in CPCB's bulletins, and in every one of those years the first came by 13 November (our analysis). Stage 4 applies above 450; we will update this page if CAQM goes further or lifts Stage 3.
For today's reading in your area, see Delhi by area, Noida and Gurugram, or the Delhi NCR tracker, which shows the GRAP stage in force.
Frequently asked questions
Which cars are banned under GRAP Stage 3?
BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers, in Delhi and in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and, from 2026, Sonipat. BS-IV and older diesel light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi may not enter. CNG, electric and BS-VI vehicles are not affected.
Are schools closed under GRAP Stage 3?
Not fully. Classes up to Class 5 move to hybrid mode, online and in person. Wider online teaching comes in at Stage 4. Schools and state education departments announce the details.
Is construction banned under GRAP Stage 3?
Most of it. Non-essential construction and demolition stop across the NCR, including earthwork and road building. Essential projects such as Metro, railways, airports, hospitals and sanitation can continue under strict dust rules.
Is GRAP Stage 3 in force now?
Yes. CAQM invoked it across Delhi NCR on 6 November 2026 as a precaution, with Delhi at 382 and Severe air forecast from 7 to 9 November. The Delhi air pollution tracker shows the stage in force today, and we update this page when it changes.
Is work from home mandatory under GRAP Stage 3?
Not automatically. State government, municipal and private offices in the NCR can be told to work with half their staff in the office and the rest at home; the state and Delhi governments decide how. Central government offices follow the Centre's decision.
