Govt Announces Changes in Office Hours in Delhi Amid Rising Air Pollution Levels; Check New Office Timings

Amid worsening air quality in the national capital, the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have announced changes to office timings in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and curb pollution levels. The decision to implement staggered office hours aims to ease vehicular load during peak hours, which has been a key contributor to the city's deteriorating air quality.

Government Announces Changes in Office Timings in Delhi

Currently, Delhi government offices operate from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, while MCD offices function from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Officials said the existing 30-minute gap between the two sets of office hours results in heavy traffic during rush hours, worsening congestion and emissions.

Check New Timings For Delhi Government Employees and MCD Workers

Under the newly proposed winter schedule, Delhi government offices will function from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm, and MCD offices from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. These timings will be effective from November 15, 2025, to February 15, 2026, as part of a seasonal measure to combat the city's persistent smog and air pollution.

Announcing the revised timings on Friday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the move is aimed at "distributing traffic load more evenly across the day to help mitigate pollution during winter months." She added that the government will assess the impact of the changes and decide later whether to extend them beyond February.

A government statement noted that even a slight staggering of office hours could significantly reduce peak-hour congestion, which currently contributes to higher emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5).

Delhi AQI Today

Meanwhile, air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the 'very poor' category on Friday. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that 29 out of 38 monitoring stations across the city recorded AQI readings above the 300-mark. According to the Sameer app, the city's 24-hour average AQI stood at 322 as of 4 pm, placing Delhi in the 'red zone'.

PM2.5 particles remained the dominant pollutant, with the transport sector estimated to contribute about 15% to PM2.5 levels on Saturday and 14% on Sunday, according to an analysis cited by news agency PTI.

The pollution situation in the National Capital Region (NCR) was also grim. Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 314, while Noida reported 306, both falling in the 'very poor' category.

The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that the city's air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' range for the next few days, given calm wind conditions and ongoing emissions from vehicles, construction, and stubble burning in neighboring states.