A Look Into Ashoka’s Historic “Smog Week”

This past week, air quality surrounding Ashoka University has deteriorated sharply, with AQI readings crossing a record high of 900+. The university has re-entered what students popularly call “Smog Week”, prompting demands by the Ashoka University Student Government (AUSG) for online classes and the immediate installation of air purifiers across campus. 

According to AQI.in, air quality readings in the Sonipat area have reached 900+ at around 12 a.m. on Diwali, with levels peaking at 507 during the day. By 12:01 a.m. on 11th November, the AQI had fallen to 423, still categorised as hazardous. The readings mark a significant deterioration in air quality compared to previous years, with this year’s peak of 507 exceeding the reported peak of 391 in 2025.

On 6th November, 2026, the AUSG emailed the student body, formally calling on the administration to move classes online in response to the worsening air quality due to the AQI reaching 900, a value classified globally as extremely hazardous air quality and a public health emergency. They also demanded the immediate installation of air purifiers in all classrooms and common areas. In response, on 7th November, the Dean of Student Affairs and Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Dheeraj Sanghi (DSA), apprised the student body of the measures taken to combat air pollution via email, stating that the installation of air purifiers in smaller classrooms and common areas will take place in a phased manner to be completed by the third week of November. The AUSG criticised the timeline as inadequate, arguing that the delay would leave students exposed to hazardous air quality during the period when precautionary measures were most urgently needed, and that most of the damage to students’ health would already be done by the end of November. 

The AUSG also raised concerns about the effectiveness of precautionary measures such as tree cleaning, air purifiers, and sprinklers in improving air quality. They pointed out that these measures did little to protect students from exposure while commuting to and from classrooms and other campus facilities. On 9th November, the day after Diwali, when readings in Rajiv Gandhi Education City had reached 900, and those in surrounding areas like Delhi touching 1700+, the AUSG received communication from the DSA, DAA and the Vice Chancellor’s Office stating, “We will inform you if there is any change of plans. As of now, all classes are in person”, and affirmed that they will “review the situation as it unfolds”.

In the meantime, classes continue in person, with updates to come.

[Edited by Ananya Mahnot, Antara Kulkarni and Anamta Husain.]