CAQM advises schools in Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, UP to reschedule Nov-Dec sports events due to low air quality

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has advised school authorities operating in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to avoid scheduling outdoor sports activities between November and December, 2026, citing the impact of bad air quality on students due to the sports events, the Indian Express reported.

According to the report, the commission’s advisory states concern over air quality trends in the areas where the events are scheduled to be conducted.

Though the advisory does not state that schools have to cancel the events, it has asked state governments to avoid organising physical sports activities and competitions during November and December, and to reschedule events that have already been scheduled, the report read.

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Citing the Supreme Court’s November 2025 order on children participating in physical sports events during periods of poor and severe air quality in Delhi-NCR, the report stated that the apex court had asked CAQM to issue appropriate directions to schools in Delhi-NCR to postpone sports and games competitions scheduled for November and December.

Following which the CAQM, in its September 10 order, advises the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to ensure that “no physical sport activities, competitions are scheduled during November - December,” the report added.

“The wording is significant because the advisory links the scheduling decision to local air quality conditions. Rather than treating every location in the four jurisdictions as having identical conditions, it says the prevailing air quality trends in the area where an event is to be held should be considered,” the CAQM advisory says in the report.

Therefore, the air quality management authority has asked the governments to find alternate ways to reschedule such events or provide alternative opportunities for students to participate in similar activities at an appropriate time, the report read.