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Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

PYQs

13

Articles

3

Momentum

34

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

CAQM is a relatively new and crucial statutory body addressing a persistent and critical environmental issue (air pollution in NCR). Its mandate, powers, and actions are highly relevant for UPSC examinations covering governance, environmental policy, institutional frameworks, and current affairs related to pollution control.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament to address air pollution in the NCR and its adjoining areas. It aims to coordinate efforts, research, and enforcement among various stakeholders.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Status

Statutory body, established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

Jurisdiction

National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Mandate

To coordinate, research, identify, and resolve problems of air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas.

Powers

Overrides existing bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) on matters of air quality management in the NCR.

Nature of Body

Statutory body established by an Act of Parliament in 2021.

Key Initiatives

Announced steps to curb open waste burning, including identifying 'waste-sensitive' sites, training workers, and public awareness campaigns.

Enforcement

Calls for a zero-tolerance approach to open waste burning and conducts inspections under 'Operation Clean Air'.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Governance
Conceptual areaStatutory Bodies
Conceptual areaConstitutional & Statutory Bodies
Conceptual areaAir Pollution & Emissions
Conceptual areaAir Pollution Control

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)Coordinates with/superseded by caqm in ncr
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)Coordinates with/superseded by caqm in ncr
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)Regulates
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • Statutory body for NCR air quality.
  • Established by CAQM Act, 2021.
  • Coordinates, researches, resolves air pollution.
  • Jurisdiction: NCR + adjoining states.
  • Overrides CPCB/SPCBs in NCR.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — CAQM is a statutory body, not a constitutional one.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Indian PolityOpen question
2024Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2022Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

EconomyOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

EconomyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State le...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

Indian PolityOpen question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? 1. It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates. 2. It is a...

EconomyOpen question
2017Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

Indian PolityOpen question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? 1. It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates. 2. It is a...

EconomyOpen question
2014Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environmental GovernanceStatutory BodiesConstitutional & Statutory BodiesAir Pollution & Emissions
Prelims 2014· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

Open question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? 1. It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates. 2. It is a...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

Open question

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? 1. It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates. 2. It is a...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State le...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Open question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Open question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Open question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

Open question

CAQM urges NCR States to deploy drones to monitor stubble burning

30 Jul 2026 · CAQM is a statutory body established in 2021 to manage air quality in the NCR and adjoining states. It coordinates efforts, researches issues, and has overriding powers over other pollution control boards in its jurisdiction.

Read article

CSIR–CRRI Flags Off Indigenous Network Survey Vehicle for Urban Road Monitoring; Launches Field Survey for CAQM-Supported Standard Framework Project in Delhi NCR

03 Aug 2026 · CAQM is a statutory body for air quality management in NCR, with broad powers to coordinate and implement pollution control measures, replacing EPCA.

Read article

Pollution from winter waste burning in cities three times higher than summer, study finds

10 Sep 2026 · The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body established to tackle air pollution in the NCR. It implements measures like identifying waste-sensitive sites, conducting awareness campaigns, and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against open waste burning, playing a pivotal role in regional air quality governance.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

Often confused with

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Open notesOften confused with

Stubble Burning

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 13 linked questions on Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

2018·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

2017·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

2022·Indian Polity
Solve

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? 1. It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates. 2. It is a...

2017·Economy
Solve

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State le...

2019·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: | Organization | Some of its Functions | It Works Under | |--...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

2022·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is appointed by the Central Government. 2. Certain provisions in the Co...

2021·Economy
Solve

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