To this end, in response to the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi Directorate of Education has instructed all schools to convert to hybrid classes for students up to Class 9 and Class 11. The order was given after Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was invoked due to a significant drop in air quality.

The air quality index (AQI) increased from 275 on Tuesday to 396 by 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Low winds, cold temperature, and misty weather ensured that the harmful pollutants accumulated over the region, aggravating the quality of air in the city. The India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology have stated that the AQI might rise above the 400 mark.

In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management instructed the authorities in Delhi-NCR to undertake all measures as laid down in GRAP stages 3 and 4 forthwith. The DoE's circular directed the heads of all government, private, and aided schools under its jurisdiction to switch to hybrid classes for students up to Class 9 and 11, where online learning is feasible, till further notice.

The restrictions of Stage 4 include prohibition on construction activities, restriction of entry of non-essential polluting trucks in Delhi, and a hybrid class for all grades except Class 10 and 12. The entry of non-essential diesel trucks and older BS-IV diesel vehicles is also prohibited, except for essential services. The GRAP categorizes the air quality into four stages according to the AQI level. Stage 4 has the highest restrictions.