The Environment Department of Delhi orders mandatory work-from-home for half the workforce as pollution levels cross dangerous limits.
The Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has issued a formal directive enforcing 50% staff attendance in all government and private offices, with the remaining employees required to work from home. The order comes into immediate effect in view of the worsening air quality and remains applicable for the entire duration of GRAP Stage III. It will automatically apply again if Stage III is re-imposed in future.
Why the Order Was Issued
Delhi experiences severe air pollution during the winter months as particulate matter levels (PM2.5 and PM10) regularly exceed prescribed limits.
The entire National Capital Territory has been notified as an Air Pollution Control Area under the Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had already activated different stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) through orders issued in 2024 and 2025. Following recent Supreme Court hearings on Delhi’s air quality and subsequent stakeholder consultations, the Commission amended the GRAP schedule. Under these amendments, NCR governments, including GNCTD, were authorised to decide on allowing public, municipal and private offices to operate with only 50% staff strength.
The Delhi Lieutenant Governor has also approved staggered office timings for GNCTD and MCD offices, supporting the broader strategy to reduce vehicular pollution.
Key Directives for Government Offices
All Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments must ensure that not more than 50% of staff are physically present in their offices.
Remaining employees are required to work from home.
Departments retain the authority to call additional staff if necessary to maintain delivery of essential and emergency public services.
Rules for Private Offices Across Delhi
Private offices in the National Capital Territory must also function with a maximum of 50% physical attendance.
The remaining workforce must work from home without exception.
Private Offices have been instructed to:
● Implement staggered working hours wherever possible
● Ensure complete compliance with work-from-home norms
● Reduce vehicular movement linked to daily office commute
Exempted Services
The following essential and emergency services are exempt from the 50% restriction:
Hospitals, private and public health establishments, fire services, prisons, public transport, electricity, water, sanitation, disaster management, forest and environment departments, enforcement teams, biomass burning control teams, dust control teams and all other essential services.
Strict Compliance Expected
Heads of departments, district magistrates, police commissioners and all concerned authorities have been directed to enforce the order in full.
District Magistrates, Deputy Commissioners of Police and local bodies must ensure compliance among private offices.
Violations of this directive will be punishable under Sections 15 and 16 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, along with other applicable laws.
Order Authenticated by GNCTD
The order has been issued by Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Forests, on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
Copies of the order have been circulated to all major administrative offices, including Chief Secretaries, Police Commissioners, MCD, NDMC, Delhi Development Authority, Cantonment Board, GAD, IT Department and the Commission for Air Quality Management.
The IT Department has been instructed to prominently upload the order on the official GNCTD website.
