Air Quality in Indian Cities

Over the past decade (2015-November 2025), no major Indian city has achieved a safe Air Quality Index (AQI) level. The study focused on 11 Indian cities and highlighted significant issues related to air pollution.

Key Findings

• New Delhi remains one of the worst performers with an AQI around 180 in 2025, classifying it as the most polluted city throughout the decade.
• Winter smog is persistent, especially in the Indo-Gangetic region, due to meteorological and geographical factors.
• Cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, and Visakhapatnam have experienced moderate, yet unsafe AQI levels.
• Bengaluru had the cleanest air among metros, but its AQI was still above the 'good' category.

Regional Observations

• In North and West India, cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi, and Ahmedabad consistently showed high, unhealthy AQI levels.
• A decrease in farm fires did not notably improve Delhi's air quality, suggesting that local pollution sources and meteorology are primary factors in severe winter smog.

Study Insights

• The absence of significant rainfall in October and weak western disturbances exacerbated early smog formation by eliminating natural pollutant washout.
• Air pollution in India is described as a national, persistent, and structural issue due to urbanization, traffic, industry, and seasonal factors.

Recommendations

• There is a need for systemic and science-based policy efforts to address air pollution.
• Despite recent policy interventions and technological improvements, Indian cities still face air quality challenges.
• More aggressive pollution-control strategies, sustained enforcement measures, and long-term urban planning reforms are essential.