India's air quality index (AQI) is officially capped at 500, a limit that has raised questions about its accuracy and public health implications. While government-backed monitors like SAFAR and SAMEER report this maximum, private platforms such as IQAir often show AQI levels exceeding 600, sometimes even surpassing 1,000. Experts indicate that this cap was originally intended to avoid public panic, but it results in a misleading representation of air quality. The World Health Organization's guidelines for hazardous air differ significantly from India's, further complicating comparisons. Additionally, the instruments used for measuring air quality vary, with India relying on Beta Attenuation Monitors, while sensor-based monitors are used by private entities. Calls for updating India's AQI system are increasing, as the current framework has not been revised since 2009 and does not account for the latest technology or health research.