India news Live Updates, 13 November 2026: Severe air quality grips Delhi as AIIMS AQI hits 418

A thick layer of smog shrouds the national capital as Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) plunges into the 'Severe' category (Photo/ANI)

Delhi continued to grapple with severe air pollution on Friday, November 13, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) around AIIMS touching 418 and Rajokri Border recording 402, both falling in the ‘Severe’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Dwarka Expressway recorded an AQI of 369, categorised as ‘Very Poor’. The deteriorating air quality has once again put the national capital’s pollution crisis in focus.

If you are just joining us, this is The Indian Express Realtime breaking news blog – where we bring you the latest news updates of the day in real time. Scan the top headlines of the day here, or keep scrolling to see the latest updates stream in.

Delhi air pollution: AQI at AIIMS touches 418, Rajokri records 402 in ‘Severe’ category

Delhi’s air quality remained a major concern on Friday, with the AQI around AIIMS reaching 418 and Rajokri Border recording 402, both categorised as ‘Severe’, according to the CPCB. Dwarka Expressway recorded an AQI of 369, falling in the ‘Very Poor’ category. The readings underline the deteriorating air quality across different parts of the national capital, with several monitoring stations reporting unhealthy pollution levels.

Story continues below this ad

IAF officer shared war plans, deployment details with Pakistani operative: Police to court

An Indian Air Force Wing Commander, arrested five months ago under provisions of the Official Secrets Act, allegedly shared classified operational information with a suspected Pakistani intelligence operative, according to a police chargesheet filed in a Delhi court. The information allegedly included war-plan documents, drone capabilities, military deployment locations, movements of frontline combat aircraft and coordinates of sensitive installations. Police said the disclosures potentially compromised critical military assets and exposed operational vulnerabilities. The chargesheet also details alleged communications between the officer and the operative, including the exchange of messages, images and calls. Read the full report here.

Adani slashes Maharashtra power project cost by 99%, wildlife dues fall; Centre orders probe

The Centre has directed an investigation into Adani Green Energy’s revised cost estimate for its 1,500 MW Tarali pumped storage project in Maharashtra’s Satara district. The company has sought to reduce the estimated project cost from Rs 5,675 crore to Rs 56.75 crore, a revision that brings down its proposed wildlife conservation deposit from Rs 227 crore to around Rs 2.27 crore. The Union Environment Ministry directed the Maharashtra forest department to investigate the matter on November 6, following a complaint alleging an incorrect project cost estimate. The state forest department has also initiated a probe. Adani Green Energy has maintained that the project is located on private, non-forest land. Read the full investigation here.

Why the manner of Gokul dairy win has rankled sections of BJP, Shiv Sena

The Mahayuti’s victory in Maharashtra’s Gokul dairy cooperative has triggered discontent within sections of both the BJP and the Shiv Sena, despite the ruling alliance securing control of the influential cooperative. NCP leader Rajesh Patil was elected chairman with 16 votes against 13 on November 10, after an ordinance granted voting rights to four government-nominated directors. The development helped the ruling alliance overcome its earlier defeat in the October 19 board election. While some BJP leaders are unhappy that the party’s organisational interests and local leadership were sidelined in the effort to secure control of Gokul, Shiv Sena leaders are concerned about a possible backlash among milk producers and the party’s rural support base in western Maharashtra. Read the full Political Pulse report here.