It is the political heart of a democracy of a billion people. It is home to 165 embassies and high commissions, international agencies and India's highest courts, and its Mughal history runs seven capitals deep. Delhi is loud, layered and full of contradictions, and you won't forget it. A posting here puts you at the centre of India's diplomacy and policy.
Parliament, Supreme Court, Rashtrapati Bhavan, every national decision is taken within 5 km of Chanakyapuri
Diplomatic Capital
190+ foreign missions concentrated in Chanakyapuri's Diplomatic Enclave, more than anywhere else in India
Mughal Heritage
Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb & Qutub Minar are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with the grand Jama Masjid completing Old Delhi's Mughal skyline
Metro Network
10 lines plus Airport Express, 288+ stations, 393 km, by far the most extensive urban rail system in India
IGI T3 Connectivity
India's busiest airport, ranked among Asia's finest terminals, direct flights to 80+ international cities
Top-Tier Healthcare
Max Saket, Apollo, Fortis Escorts, BLK-Max, home to India's finest medical expertise
American Embassy School
AES Chanakyapuri is among India's most highly regarded international schools, a major reason many families choose Delhi
Lodhi Gardens
90 acres of Mughal-era tombs woven through manicured parkland, the city's most-loved morning ritual
Khan Market
Reportedly the most expensive retail per sqft in India, and the centre of expat Delhi social life
Mughlai & Punjabi Food
Birthplace of butter chicken, dal makhani and tandoori cuisine, Karim's has fed Delhi since 1913
Cultural Calendar
India Habitat Centre, India International Centre and Kamani Auditorium host classical, theatre and policy events daily
Air Quality (Honest)
AQI runs 200-500 Oct to Feb due to crop burning, vehicle emissions and winter inversions, air purifiers are essential
2026 Infrastructure Watch: Delhi Metro Phase 4 is rolling out, Golden Line (Aerocity-Tughlakabad) and Pink Line extension will deepen south-Delhi coverage by 2027. The Delhi-Meerut RRTS (Namo Bharat) extension is reshaping commuter corridors. Central Vista redevelopment continues to add new ministerial buildings along Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath). Several IGI T1 expansions are easing capacity bottlenecks.
02Culture & Heritage
Delhi's history and monuments
Delhi has been a seat of empire for over 2,500 years.
Its capitals run from Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Siri, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad and Shahjahanabad to Lutyens' New Delhi. Walk from the Qutub Minar (12th century) to Rashtrapati Bhavan (1929) and you cross eight centuries of empire. Three of its monuments, the Qutub Complex, Humayun's Tomb and the Red Fort, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Delhi's Diwali is North India at maximum intensity, every market is lit, every flat-balcony has diyas, and gift exchanges with neighbours and Society staff are mandatory. Air quality also peaks at its worst during this week. Stock up on N95 masks and air-purifier filters before the festival.
Delhi celebrates Holi with arguably the country's most spirited urban scale. Gymkhana clubs host structured Holi brunches; residential colonies do the all-out water-and-gulaal version on the street. Wear clothes you don't mind losing. The bhang lassi is real, pace yourself.
India's annual parade rolls down Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, with foreign heads of state often as Chief Guest. Embassy and diplomatic-mission enclosures offer the best vantage. The Beating Retreat ceremony three days later, at Vijay Chowk, is a must-attend musical sunset.
Year-round
UNESCO Monuments
Qutub Minar (12th century), Humayun's Tomb (16th century, direct architectural ancestor of the Taj Mahal) and the Red Fort (17th century). Take all three within your first month. The Aga Khan-led restoration of Humayun's Tomb is one of the world's great conservation projects.
03Climate
Delhi's four seasons
Delhi has a true continental climate: extreme heat in summer, a short but real monsoon, and crisp winter mornings.
What surprises new expats most is the air quality, more than the temperature. From October to February the AQI (air quality index) changes daily routines. Outdoor exercise, school sport and even sleeping with the window open become decisions you make each day.
8 to 20°JanCool · AQI
11 to 24°FebSpring
16 to 30°MarPleasant
21 to 37°AprHot
26 to 40°MayPeak Heat
28 to 39°JunPre-Monsoon
28 to 36°JulMonsoon
27 to 34°AugWettest
25 to 34°SepRetreating
20 to 33°OctAQI ↑↑
13 to 28°NovSmog Peak
8 to 23°DecCold · AQI
ColdBest monthsHotMonsoonWarmBest months in Delhi: Feb, Mar
Each month shows the average daily low and high in °C, from the India Meteorological Department's 1991 to 2020 normals for New Delhi (Safdarjung). Checked 7 Oct 2026.
Winter · Cool but Smoggy
December to February
About 8 to 24°C, the most comfortable Delhi temperatures of the year, but coinciding with the worst air quality. Crisp blue-sky mornings are rare; smoggy mornings with AQI 250-400 are the norm. Pack a proper winter wardrobe (jacket, scarf, woollens). Dense morning fog regularly delays flights in December and January.
Proper winter coat for Dec/Jan
Air purifiers running 24/7 in every bedroom
Fog delays, book morning flights with buffer
Hot & Dry Summer
March to June
Average highs climb from 30°C in March to 40°C in May, and the hottest days can pass 45°C. The "loo" (hot dry wind) is a Delhi summer signature. May is very hard to bear, outdoor activity is restricted to early morning or after sunset. Air conditioning is non-negotiable, ensure your apartment's AC is serviced before March.
45°C+ in May/June, dry, dust-heavy
Hydration critical, ORS sachets at home
Full AC servicing before March is essential
Brief Monsoon
July to September
Delhi's monsoon is far less intense than Mumbai's, about 570mm across the three months, often arriving in dramatic afternoon bursts. The relief from heat is welcome; the brief greening of the city and the freshness of evenings are some of Delhi's most beautiful moments. Localised waterlogging on Ring Road and ITO is common.
Umbrella + waterproof bag in monsoon weeks
Avoid Ring Road / ITO during heavy rain
Sundays at Lodhi Gardens are spectacular post-rain
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Photo: unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: António Alves Tedim, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ministry of Defence, GODL-India
