Administration Refuses Hybrid Classes Amidst Post-Diwali AQI Surge in Sonipat

Despite a spike in AQI in Delhi-NCR, Dean of Academic Affairs Bikram Phookun and Vice-Chancellor Somak Raychaudhury have decided against online or hybrid classes, as confirmed in an email to faculty members on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. In the coming week, however, certain faculty members decided to conduct online classes. 

About a month prior to Diwali, Campus Life Ministry (CLM) consolidated a smog-week proposal following a student survey with over 800 responses. They proposed hybrid classes after the Diwali break, as several students experience respiratory discomfort and other health conditions.

Campus Life Minister Aveka Jain (UG’27) told The Edict that the authority to implement such a policy rests solely with the administration. According to Jain, the administration rejected CLM’s proposal, stating that “the AQI has not been as high as in previous years and, due to logistical issues, hybrid-mode classes are not feasible.” She added that there was no further room for negotiation.

The Edict, however, finds that Ashoka’s average AQI reached 157 this year, the highest after last year’s 176.2, recording a peak AQI of 178 on October 22, 2025.

Rajiv Gandhi Education City observed its highest AQI of 292 in the past 5 years on October 21. According to The Hindu, several Delhi-NCR regions saw AQI levels exceed 300 — the highest since 2021. Ashoka’s AQI levels are likely lower due to measures such as tree-washing, which temporarily settle the dust particles in the air.

*Janet Bradshaw told The Edict that she is facing allergies and difficulty breathing after returning to Delhi post the Diwali break. She suggested that moving classes online might enable greater attendance during such periods, as she knows others who are also struggling with smog-related health conditions.

Notably, in 2019, the administration approved a “smog break”, suspending all classes for a week following a student body petition signed by about 1000 students.

In the meantime, the CLM has ensured the availability of subsidised masks at the Tuck Shop and the yearly practice of tree-washing and implementing sprinklers across campus. CLM is also in the process of increasing the number of air purifiers in common areas across campus.

They are also collaborating with housekeeping and maintenance to ensure sprinklers operate according to AQI monitor readings, increasing sprinkler timings when necessary. They continue to maintain weekly meetings with maintenance to monitor progress.

*A Psuedonym has been used to preserve the anonymity of the individual.

**The Edict reached out to DAA Bikram Phookun and VC, Somak Raychudhary for a comment. The article will be updated when we receive a response.

[With inputs from Tanisha Pandey]

[Fact checked by Tanisha Pandey and Tanush Guha]

[Edited By Tanisha Pandey and Fatema Tambawalla]