AAJ INDIA NEWS | DELHI & NCR NEWS DESK | 28 OCTOBER 2026 | NEW DELHI
Delhi records ‘poor’ air quality, with some monitoring stations entering the ‘very poor’ category, as Jamia Millia Islamia’s 16-day students’ union protest intensifies following allegations of overnight damage to campus gates.
NEW DELHI: Delhi faced two significant developments on Wednesday, with deteriorating air quality raising environmental concerns across the National Capital Region and tensions escalating at Jamia Millia Islamia University amid an ongoing student protest over the restoration of the students’ union.
Delhi’s city-level Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 228 at 7 a.m. on October 28, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, according to reports cited by News9 and Business Standard. A separate NDTV report, published at 10:10 a.m., cited an AQI of 250 at 8 a.m. These readings refer to different reporting times and should not be treated as simultaneous measurements.
At Jamia Millia Islamia, the university alleged that a group of people entered the campus overnight and damaged gates and other property. The incident occurred against the backdrop of a 16-day student protest demanding restoration of the university’s students’ union and a clear timetable for elections.
Delhi AQI Enters the ‘Poor’ Category
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated on Wednesday morning after remaining in the ‘moderate’ category on Tuesday afternoon, according to reports citing the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
News9 reported that the city’s AQI stood at 228 at 7 a.m., compared with 197 at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and 218 at 7 p.m. The readings indicate that pollution levels increased overnight.
The CPCB classifies AQI readings between 201 and 300 as ‘poor’, while readings between 301 and 400 fall into the ‘very poor’ category.
Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 305 at 7 a.m., placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Noida Sector 62 also recorded an AQI of 314 in the morning data reported by News9. Other locations, including Dwarka Sector 8, RK Puram, Narela and Rohini, reported elevated pollution levels.
Transport and Particulate Pollution Remain Concerns
Fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, was identified as a prominent pollutant at several monitoring stations. These particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, making prolonged exposure a concern during periods of elevated pollution.
Transport emissions, residential sources, industrial activity, construction and road dust were among the sources identified in pollution-contribution estimates reported by News9. The relative contribution of individual sources can vary with weather conditions, local activity and the period being assessed.
Delhi’s minimum temperature fell to 15.3°C on Tuesday, according to News9, marking the lowest October minimum at the cited weather station in three years.
Rain Forecast for Delhi-NCR
The India Meteorological Department forecast isolated to scattered rainfall across Delhi-NCR between October 28 and November 1, according to an NDTV report citing the Indo Asian News Service. The forecast referred to a western disturbance and a broader weather system associated with Cyclone Arnab.
Rainfall does not guarantee an immediate or uniform improvement in air quality. Residents should monitor official weather forecasts and air-quality readings as conditions can change with wind speed, atmospheric mixing, rainfall distribution and emissions.
Jamia Reports Overnight Damage to Campus Gates
Jamia Millia Islamia University reported alleged vandalism on its campus overnight amid an ongoing dispute between the administration and students demanding restoration of the students’ union.
In a report updated at 12:46 p.m. on Wednesday, The Indian Express quoted a university official as saying that a group of people, some wearing masks and carrying sticks, entered the premises and damaged gates and other property near several entry points.
The official said Gate 4C had been completely damaged and that the gate of the university’s central mosque had also sustained damage. The university shared videos that purportedly showed people gathered near campus gates, climbing over them and raising slogans.
These remain allegations reported by the university. The available report does not establish who was responsible for the damage or independently confirm the identity of those involved.
The Delhi Police told The Indian Express that no complaint had been filed in connection with the alleged vandalism at the time of reporting. This statement should not be interpreted as a final determination about responsibility for the incident.
Students’ Union Demand Drives 16-Day Protest
The protest at Jamia began on October 12 and had continued for 16 days by Wednesday. Students are demanding restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union, announcement of a fixed election date and a clear election schedule.
The university’s students’ union elections have not been held since 2005, according to The Indian Express. Some students have been on hunger strike as part of the protest, which has continued despite negotiations between students and university authorities.
On Monday, the university agreed to hold students’ union elections once the union’s constitution receives official approval. A section of protesting students subsequently wrote to Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif seeking a revision of the university’s order, arguing that their demands had not been fully addressed.
Classes Shifted Online Until November 8
The university moved classes online until November 8 and issued notices asking protesters to vacate the sit-in site, warning of possible disciplinary and legal action.
On Tuesday, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said negotiations were underway and appealed to students not to create a law-and-order situation on campus. He said university authorities, including the vice-chancellor, were examining the outstanding issues.
Security arrangements were also reported around the campus on Tuesday. The Indian Express reported that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita had been imposed.
A student involved in organising the protest told the newspaper that demonstrators opposed violence and maintained that they had been protesting peacefully. The student also alleged that access to water, electricity, washrooms and food had been restricted. These claims represent the protesters’ account and have not been independently established in the available reporting.
Questions Over Campus Security and Dialogue
The reported damage has added a security dimension to an already prolonged dispute over student representation and election procedures.
The university’s account of the overnight incident, the students’ demands and the police’s statement reflect different aspects of the developing situation. Establishing responsibility for the alleged vandalism will require further investigation and verified evidence.
The immediate challenges include maintaining safety on campus, preventing further damage, ensuring access to essential facilities and creating conditions for dialogue between students and university authorities.
What Happens Next?
For Delhi-NCR residents, the immediate priority is to monitor changing air-quality readings and official weather advisories. Children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions should take particular care during periods of elevated pollution and limit prolonged outdoor exertion when air quality is poor.
At Jamia Millia Islamia, further developments are likely to depend on the university administration’s response, negotiations with student representatives, the status of the union constitution and any police action concerning the reported damage.
As of Wednesday afternoon, available reports indicated that Delhi’s air quality had deteriorated into the ‘poor’ category during the morning and that the university had reported overnight damage to campus gates. Responsibility for the alleged vandalism, the outcome of negotiations and subsequent changes in air quality remained unresolved.
AAJ INDIA NEWS will continue to follow verified developments on Delhi’s air quality, weather conditions and the situation at Jamia Millia Islamia.
Sources: Central Pollution Control Board; News9; NDTV/IANS; Business Standard; The Indian Express. Reports cited were dated or updated October 28, 2026.
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