Central Pollution Body Explains Data Gaps On Diwali Night

The past couple of days have triggered immense conversation and scrutiny around AQI numbers. On Diwali, while the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app showed numbers pegged around 400 in the 'severe' category, websites and private applications showed AQI numbers even above 1000.

As soon as the numbers came in, netizens compared the figures and criticised government numbers for being opaque in their reporting of AQI. Since the incident, multiple explanations have been issued, educating citizens about the differences in calculation models.

The CPCB has now broken its silence and issued a clarification on the core mechanics of India's National Air Quality Index (NAQI) framework, its design methodology, and its international alignment.AQI As Health MonitorThe CPCB emphasises that the index is fundamentally designed as an effective communication tool. The body says, "The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms that are easy to understand.