CAQM Approves Draft Directions to Ban Paddy Stubble Burning, Mandate EV 3‑Wheelers and PUCC‑Based Fueling in Delhi‑NCR

<h3>Overview</h3> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Commission for Air Quality Management — statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change tasked with monitoring and controlling air pollution in Delhi‑NCR (GS2: Polity; GS3: Environment)">CAQM</span> convened its 28th full commission meeting on <strong>15 May 2026</strong>. Chaired by <strong>Shri Rajesh Verma</strong>, the meeting focused on aggressive measures to curb air‑pollution sources such as crop‑residue burning, vehicular emissions, and inadequate monitoring infrastructure.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Approval of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Draft Direction No. 99 — a proposed directive under Section 12 of the CAQM Act, 2021 aimed at eliminating paddy stubble burning in NCR states by 2026 (GS3: Environment)">Draft Direction No. 99</span> to implement an Action Plan for total eradication of paddy stubble burning in the NCR.</li> <li>Approval of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Draft Direction No. 100 — directive mandating registration of only electric 3‑wheelers (L5 category) in Delhi‑NCR, phased from 2027 to 2029, to reduce PM2.5 from the transport sector (GS3: Environment)">Draft Direction No. 100</span> for exclusive registration of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Electric 3‑Wheelers (L5 category) — three‑wheel passenger or goods vehicles classified as L5, now required to be electric‑only to cut vehicular emissions (GS3: Environment; GS4: Ethics of sustainable development)">Electric 3‑Wheelers (L5)</span> in Delhi‑NCR.</li> <li>Approval of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Draft Direction No. 101 — directive that fuel can be dispensed only on production of a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate, effective 1 Oct 2026 (GS3: Environment)">Draft Direction No. 101</span> enforcing fuel sales only against a valid <span class="key-term" data-definition="Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) — a certification that a vehicle complies with prescribed emission standards; mandatory for fuel dispensing from Oct 2026 (GS3: Environment)">PUCC</span>.</li> <li>Review of wheat‑stubble burning spikes: Punjab reported <strong>8,986</strong> incidents (up from 6,474 in 2025) and Haryana <strong>3,290</strong> incidents (up from 1,503).</li> <li>Expansion of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) — network of stations providing real‑time data on pollutants; crucial for evidence‑based policy (GS3: Environment)">CAAQMS</span> network to a total of <strong>157</strong> stations (46 new stations across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan).</li> <li>Reconstitution of the Sub‑Committee on ‘Monitoring and Identification’ under Section 11(2) of the CAQM Act, 2021.</li> <li>Adoption of greening targets: <strong>4.60 crore</strong> trees, shrubs and bamboo to be planted across NCR for 2026‑27.</li> <li>Review of penalties on six thermal power plants for missing biomass co‑firing targets, resulting in environmental compensation of over <strong>Rs 61.85 crore</strong>.</li> <li>Monitoring of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) — tiered action framework activated based on Air Quality Index levels to curb pollution (GS3: Environment)">GRAP</span> stages and IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaigns.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>• The paddy‑stubble ban targets complete elimination by <strong>2026</strong>, with state‑specific action plans already prepared.<br/> • EV‑3‑wheelers registration will be phased: Delhi from <strong>1 Jan 2027</strong>, high‑vehicle‑density districts from <strong>1 Jan 2028</strong>, and remaining NCR districts from <strong>1 Jan 2029</strong>.<br/> • PUCC‑based fuel dispensing becomes mandatory from <strong>1 Oct 2026</strong> across the entire NCR.<br/> • The revised CAAQMS density is one station per <strong>25 sq km</strong> in Delhi and adjoining cities, and one per <strong>50 sq km</strong> elsewhere.<br/> • Enforcement Task Force inspections have covered <strong>27,008</strong> sites, leading to <strong>1,779</strong> closure orders.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>The meeting underscores the interplay of environmental governance, federal‑state coordination, and policy implementation—core themes for GS 2 (Polity) and GS 3 (Environment). Understanding the legal framework (CAQM Act, 2021), the use of directives, and the role of monitoring infrastructure equips aspirants to answer questions on air‑quality management, climate‑responsive transport policies, and inter‑governmental mechanisms.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>• Strict enforcement of the draft directions, especially the EV‑3‑wheelers mandate and PUCC‑based fuel sales, is essential to curb PM2.5 and NOx emissions.<br/> • Accelerated installation of the remaining CAAQMS stations will provide granular data for timely GRAP activation.<br/> • Continuous monitoring of crop‑residue burning, coupled with punitive measures, must be complemented by farmer‑friendly alternatives to ensure compliance.<br/> • Effective IEC campaigns and the digital MIS portal will aid transparent tracking of action‑plan implementation across sectors.</p>