The transition metals present in ambient air augments the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and metallo-organics with subsets of water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) mainly associating with carbonyls, organic acids and their oxidized derivatives in PM1 (particles having aerodynamic diameter < 1.0 mu m). Airborne submicron particles (PM1) were collected using PM1 sampler during post monsoon periods and pre-winter time (August 26-November 30, 2013). PM1 values varied between 95.58 mu g/m(3) and 190.62 mu g/m(3), and average mass concentration was 132.87 +/- 27.97 mu g/m(3). Strong correlation between transition metals (Fe, Mn, Cr and Cu) and WSOC was found (up to R-2=0.94) within ambient submicron sampled dataset suggesting alternate oxidation and aging mechanisms. A few samples of post monsoon (August-October, 2013) and pre-winter time (November 2013) were analysed by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS). Higher values of m/z and oxidized fraction of identified organics were found during post monsoon time period. The presence of metallo-organic compounds (with transition metals possibly chelated to carbonyls and organic acids) and their role in aqueous phase oxidation of organic compounds has been explored in this field-based study. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.