The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated hugely as winter sets in, with smog covering the city and people being exposed to serious health hazards. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said a number of areas in the city have seen particulate matter (PM2.5) levels exceeding 400 micrograms per cubic meter, much higher than the safe limit of 60 micrograms.
Experts explain that various reasons are behind the decline. Crop stubble burning in nearby states, vehicle emissions, construction dust, and industrial pollutants are combining with cold temperatures and slow wind speeds and getting trapped close to the ground. Authorities have also put temporary curbs on construction work and asked neighboring states to cut down on stubble burning. Odd-even vehicle restrictions and higher usage of public transport are being promoted to reduce vehicle emissions.
Delhi is bracing for a significant decline in air quality, with pollution levels expected to worsen through midweek, according to the Center's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS). Schools and hospitals are reporting that there is an increase in the complaints of respiratory origin, particularly in children, the elderly, and chronic patients.
The government in Delhi has asked residents to undertake less outdoor activity, wear face masks, and use air purifiers within their homes. Temporary restrictions on construction activities and requests to neighboring states to limit stubble burning have also been imposed. Odd-even restrictions on vehicle usage and increased use of public transport are being encouraged to minimize vehicular emissions.
Delhi is facing multiple civic challenges this summer, including severe air pollution, a looming water shortage, and a contaminated water crisis.
After the NEET controversy, the CBSE online evaluation row, now questions are being raised over the UPSC prelim examination. Nearly five-and-a -half-lakh aspirants appeared for the exam on May 24. But as soon as the paper ended, social media was flooded with complaints that papers were unpredictable and lengthy paper format. Many said questions were harder to decode, with mechanical language and poorly framed questions.
The big focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the central government's eviction notice issued to the Delhi Gymkhana Club, asking it to vacate the 27.3-acre Lutyens premises by June 5.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be chairing a Council of Ministers meeting shortly to address the economic impact of the West Asia conflict and the Strait of Hormuz deadlock.
A massive political showdown erupted in Parliament on Thursday over women's reservation and its linkage to the upcoming census and delimitation exercise.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to face a major political challenge from Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP in the Bhabanipur constituency in south Kolkata, a seat considered her political stronghold. The contest follows Adhikari’s narrow 2021 victory over Banerjee in Nandigram by about 1,900 votes.
India Today's Healthy 60 programme, anchored by Sneha Mordani, examines critical health challenges facing India. Central Pollution Control Board data reveals ground-level ozone has emerged as Delhi's primary air quality threat, appearing for multiple days in February and March beyond its typical summer season. Experts explain that sunlight reacting with vehicle and industrial emissions creates this year-round hazard, causing airway inflammation and increased infection vulnerability. The episode also addresses childhood obesity, with India ranking second globally for overweight children, potentially affecting 56 million by 2040. A new international study covering 2300 people shows toxic relationships can accelerate biological aging, with each negative person in one's social circle aging the body approximately nine months at cellular level through chronic stress and inflammation.
The big focus of this episode of 5 Live is on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Israel during which 16 agreements were inked, and 11 announcements made, elevating bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership.
Mumbai is experiencing a severe air quality crisis, with AQI levels reaching 250-300 in parts of the city, comparable to pollution levels typically seen in Delhi.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has commenced at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, establishing India as a hub for global AI governance.
This edition of 5 Live focusses on the death of a biker in Delhi after his bike fell into an uncovered 15-foot Delhi Jal Board pit in Janakpuri.
India Today’s 5ive Live special edition highlights urgent public health and economic concerns in India, drawing from the latest Mood of the Nation survey and the Economic Survey 2025-26. The findings show that 80% of citizens want the government to prioritise tackling air pollution, with 40.4% blaming vehicular emissions as the biggest contributor.
On this Special Report, anchor Preeti Choudhry discusses the celebrations of India's 77th Republic Day. The programme highlights the central theme of 'Vande Mataram' and the significant military influence of 'Operation Sindoor' on this year's parade. Preeti Choudhry notes, 'It's just eight months after Operation Sindoor,' describing it as a defining 21st-century military action that marked a strategic shift in India's policy against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The bulletin details the upcoming aerial fly-past featuring Sukhoi-30s and Rafales in a special formation. Reporters Ashraf Wani from Lal Chowk, Srinagar, and Aman Bhardwaj from Chandigarh provide ground updates on local celebrations and security. The discussion covers the abrogation of Article 370's impact on Kashmir's celebrations and Chandigarh's first-ever tableau representation in the national parade, featuring its war memorial. The report captures the national sentiment of pride and the display of sophisticated weaponry used in recent operations.
The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the tragic death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned after his car plunged into an open, water-filled pit in Noida's Sector 150 on the night of January 16.
In this Special Report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the tragic death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj, who drowned after his car plunged into an open, water-filled pit in Noida's Sector 115. Kapoor highlights the systemic failure, stating, 'Time to hold the system accountable,' as India Today accesses exclusive details from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The report reveals that five departments of the Noida Authority are under the scanner, with officials from the SDRF, fire department, and police being questioned regarding response times and lack of precautions. The program also features insights from Arvind Ojha on the SIT's progress and Piyush Mishra's interaction with anguished locals who describe the pit as a hazardous sewage dump. Additionally, the broadcast addresses how severe air pollution is threatening India's global sporting ambitions and provides a winter update on heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand ahead of the Republic Day long weekend.
In this special report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the escalating pollution crisis in North India and its detrimental impact on the nation's sporting aspirations. Kapoor highlights that the 'air emergency choking North India and several other parts of the country isn't just a health hazard anymore, it's a national liability.' The programme discusses how toxic air quality is jeopardising India's bid for the 2036 Olympics, with Ahmedabad as the frontrunner. Joined by colleague Nikhil Naz, the discussion covers instances where international athletes, including badminton star Anders Antonsen, have raised alarms or refused to play in Delhi. The report further details how pollution affects athlete training, lung capacity, and the overall feasibility of hosting global events like the Commonwealth Games and the ODI World Cup. Kapoor concludes that the environmental crisis is not only an economic burden but a significant hurdle to India's dream of becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on economist Gita Gopinath's warning on air pollution in India.
On this news bulletin, environmentalist Vimlendu Jha discusses the severe economic and health impacts of air pollution in India, following remarks by IMF's Geeta Gopinath at the World Economic Forum. Jha emphasises that 'the cost of inaction, actually, cost of inaction actually is higher than cost of action,' pointing to a World Bank report suggesting a 9% GDP loss, amounting to approximately 30 lakh crore rupees. He criticises the current budget for air purification as grossly inadequate, noting that while the economic loss is massive, the budget for Delhi is a mere 30 crore rupees. Jha highlights the human toll, citing Lancet data on mortality, and calls for the Union Government to prioritise air quality in the upcoming budget. He argues that pollution is not just a health or environmental issue but a significant economic burden affecting agriculture, transport, and corporate affairs, requiring urgent political will and sustained action rather than reactive measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
On this news bulletin, former Lieutenant Governor Dr. Kiran Bedi discusses the escalating air pollution crisis in India and its severe impact on the economy and public health. Highlighting the decline in tourism and hospitality due to poor air quality, she emphasizes that 'India needs a very coordinated governance' rather than working in silos. Dr. Bedi suggests adopting a model similar to the Prime Minister’s 'Pragati' scheme for infrastructure to ensure multiple departments work together on a weekly basis. She notes that while the Supreme Court and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) have provided a 'to-do list' for various departments, the primary challenge remains implementation. The discussion covers the 'double whammy' of GRAP-4 restrictions on low-income workers and the necessity of high-level leadership to oversee the electrification of transport and enforcement of construction norms to ensure clean air for all citizens.
This India Today Special Report, led by Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor, investigates the death of 27-year-old Yuvraj Mehta in Noida’s Sector 150. Mehta drowned after his vehicle plunged into a 30-foot water-filled ditch at a stalled construction site managed by MZ Wishtown. The investigation details a six-hour rescue delay and a lack of essential equipment despite the victim’s emergency calls. The site lacked barricades, reflectors, and streetlights, leading to the arrest of builder Abhay Kumar and the removal of the Noida Authority CEO following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's intervention. The report examines systemic failures and the Allahabad High Court’s observations on corruption within the Sports City project. Additionally, the broadcast covers global updates from Davos, including Indian CEOs meeting US President Donald Trump and European Union discussions regarding a Free Trade Agreement with India. Finally, the report notes the revocation of GRAP Stage IV measures in Delhi-NCR as regional air quality levels showed marginal improvement.
