GRAP Stages Explained: What Changes at Each Stage

Every winter in Delhi NCR, news reports announce that "GRAP Stage III" or "Stage IV" has been invoked, and businesses scramble to understand what they can and cannot do. GRAP, the Graded Response Action Plan, is a schedule of actions that the Commission for Air Quality Management triggers as air quality worsens. It sorts measures into four stages linked to the Air Quality Index, and when a higher stage is invoked, the actions of the lower stages continue.

On 28 September 2026, the Commission revised GRAP. The revised schedule has 48 actions: 25 at Stage I, 8 at Stage II, 10 at Stage III and 5 at Stage IV. Actions on diesel generator sets moved to Stage I, Sonipat was added to the districts where older BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light vehicles are restricted at higher stages, and monitoring of construction sites through the dust portal was extended beyond municipal limits. This guide explains each stage in plain words and what it means for construction, industry, buildings and vehicles. For compliance planning, see NCR, GRAP and CAQM compliance.

The four stages

Stage I: Poor air

Stage I is invoked when the AQI is forecast to be in the poor range, 201 to 300. It includes baseline measures that apply across NCR: enforcement of dust control at construction and demolition sites and registration of sites of 500 square metres or more on the dust portal, a ban on open burning of waste, enforcement of pollution under control rules for vehicles, mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling on roads, and checks on industrial fuel use. Under the 2026 revision, actions on DG sets, which earlier began at Stage II, now begin at Stage I. Buildings and factories relying on diesel gensets must therefore comply with the CAQM directions on gensets from the start of the season. See DG set rules in Delhi NCR.

Stage II: Very poor air

Stage II applies when the AQI is forecast in the very poor range, 301 to 400. It adds stricter enforcement of dust control, more intensive road cleaning, higher parking fees to discourage private vehicles, more public transport, and targeted action at pollution hotspots. Industries not running on approved fuels face strict action, and authorities step up inspection of construction sites. For most businesses, Stage II means more inspections rather than outright bans, but sites and units that are not compliant are more likely to be closed.

Stage III: Severe air

Stage III is invoked when the AQI is forecast in the severe range, 401 to 450. The key measure is a ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities across NCR, with exceptions for specified categories such as projects of national importance, railways, metro, airports, hospitals, sanitation and some public linear projects, subject to dust norms. Non-dust-generating works such as interior finishing, plumbing and electrical work are often permitted. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles are restricted in Delhi and specified NCR districts, which under the 2026 revision now include Sonipat. Brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers face restrictions, and state governments may decide on online classes and work from home.

Stage IV: Severe plus

Stage IV applies when the AQI is forecast above 450. It adds a ban on the entry of trucks into Delhi except those carrying essential goods or running on CNG, electricity or BS-VI diesel, a wider construction ban that extends to linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, power lines and pipelines, restrictions on diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles registered in NCR, and decisions by governments on closing schools for physical classes and allowing staff to work from home. Industries not on approved fuels in sectors such as those without clean fuel options may be shut. Stage IV is meant to be rare and short.

How to plan for GRAP

Common impacts by stage

Reading the order, not the headline

News reports often simplify GRAP orders, and businesses have closed or continued work wrongly as a result. Each stage is invoked by an order of the Commission's sub-committee, published on its website, and the schedule lists the exact actions and exceptions. Implementing agencies may issue their own orders. Before stopping or continuing an activity, read the Commission's order and the schedule. Where an activity is not clearly covered, take advice, and if you continue, keep evidence that your activity is permitted and dust-free.

Who enforces GRAP

GRAP is issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management, but enforcement is carried out by many agencies: the pollution control boards of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, municipal corporations, development authorities, district administrations, traffic police and transport departments. The Commission's own flying squads also inspect. Each agency may issue its own orders to implement GRAP within its area. For a business, this means notices or closures may come from different bodies, and revocation applications must go to the body that issued the order. Keep a list of the agencies relevant to each of your sites.

Standing directions all year

GRAP adds measures in winter, but CAQM's standing directions apply throughout the year: the ban on coal and unapproved fuels for industry in NCR, the requirements for DG sets, dust control at construction sites and registration on the dust portal for sites of 500 square metres or more, and the ban on open burning of waste. A unit or site that complies with these standing rules is far less exposed when GRAP stages are invoked, because most closures under GRAP are for breaches of these basic rules. Treat GRAP preparation as part of year-round compliance. See CAQM.

Preparing your business for each stage

At the start of the season