Bronte Wells
India's air pollution is a serious environmental issue. In 2023, India was ranked as the third most polluted country globally, with New Delhi being the most polluted capital city in the world. The country's PM 2.5 concentration value exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline value of 5 μg/m3 by over 10 times. India's air pollution is caused by various factors, including vehicle emissions, construction dust and debris, industrial emissions, and the burning of crops and biomass. The pollution has severe health implications, reducing the average life expectancy and contributing to premature deaths. India has taken initiatives to combat pollution, such as the National Clean Air Programme, and aims to reduce particulate pollution and improve air quality.
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What You'll Learn
India's rank in global pollution
India has ranked among the top five most polluted countries in the world in recent years. In 2023, it was the third-most polluted country globally, behind Bangladesh and Pakistan. This ranking is based on the PM2.5 concentration value, which is a measure of fine particulate matter pollution considered the most potent air pollutant. India's PM2.5 levels exceeded the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline value of 5 μg/m3 by over ten times.
In 2024, India's ranking improved slightly, and it was listed as the fifth most polluted country worldwide. Notably, 13 of the top 20 most polluted cities globally were in India, with Delhi being the most polluted capital city for the second year in a row. The high pollution levels in Indian cities have been linked to rapid industrialization, unregulated emissions, construction, and deforestation.
The impact of air pollution on health in India is significant. According to the Health Effects Institute, over a million Indians die prematurely each year due to air pollution. Additionally, air pollution is believed to accelerate the onset of Alzheimer's disease in the country. The 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study, analysed in a report by The Lancet, indicated that 76.8% of Indians are exposed to ambient particulate matter above the recommended national guidelines.
India has recognised the severity of its pollution problem and has taken steps to address it. In 2019, the country declared a "war against pollution" and launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024 for 102 cities not meeting the national annual PM5 standard. While India's pollution levels remain a concern, these initiatives demonstrate a commitment to improving air quality and reducing its impact on public health.
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Most polluted cities in India
India is the world's second or third most polluted country, depending on the source. In 2023, it was ranked third, behind Bangladesh and Pakistan. The country's PM 2.5 concentration value exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline value of 5 μg/m3 by over 10 times.
New Delhi is the most polluted capital city in the world, with an average PM 2.5 concentration of 102.1 μg/m3, 20 times over the WHO limit and more than two and a half times over the national limit of 40 μg/m3. In November 2024, the air quality index of New Delhi dropped into the 'severe' category, with Swiss group IQAir ranking the city as the world's most polluted.
Other highly polluted cities in India include Begusarai, in Bihar, which was identified as the most polluted metropolitan area globally in 2023, with a PM 2.5 value of 118.9 μg/m3. Guwahati in northeast India is also highly polluted, with a PM 2.5 value of 105.4 μg/m3.
In 2019, 21 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world were in India. A study based on 2016 data found that 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in India.
The main contributors to India's particulate air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating in low-income and rural households. India's per capita emissions of greenhouse gases are low, but the country as a whole is the third-largest producer of greenhouse gases after China and the United States.
In 2019, India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% nationally relative to 2017 levels by 2024. The new goal is a 40% reduction relative to 2017 levels for 131 cities by 2025-26.
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Causes of India's air pollution
India was ranked as the third most polluted country globally in 2023. It has the highest number of cities with high pollution levels. New Delhi, India's capital, is the most polluted capital city in the world, with an average PM 2.5 concentration of 102.1 µg/m3, which is 20 times over the World Health Organization (WHO) limit.
Air pollution in India is a critical environmental issue, causing about 1.67 million deaths and an estimated loss of US$28.8 billion in 2019 alone. Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens an average Indian's life expectancy by 5.3 years, and in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, it is estimated to reduce life expectancy by 11.9 years.
There are several causes of India's air pollution:
Vehicle Emissions
Vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to India's air pollution, accounting for about 27% of PM2.5 emissions nationwide and up to 40% in New Delhi. The country's dense vehicular traffic, particularly in metro areas, leads to high levels of pollution from cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Industrial Emissions
Industrial pollution accounts for 51% of India's air pollution. Factories, power plants, and small and medium-sized industries emit harmful pollutants, including PM2.5, into the atmosphere.
Crop Burning
During autumn and spring, large-scale crop residue burning in agricultural fields is a cheaper alternative to mechanical tilling. This practice is a major source of smoke, smog, and particulate pollution, especially in the states of Punjab and Haryana.
Construction
Construction activities generate significant dust and debris, contributing to particulate air pollution. This is particularly evident in cities like New Delhi, where there is a high volume of construction alongside a large number of factories and power stations.
Thermal Power Plants
India's reliance on thermal power for electricity generation contributes to air pollution. Thermal power plants emit pollutants into the atmosphere, and their presence is notable in highly polluted cities like New Delhi.
Waste Burning
Open waste burning, including biomass and waste burning, is a common practice in India, especially in rural areas. This practice releases harmful pollutants into the air and contributes to the overall air pollution levels.
Use of Cheap and Dirty Fuels
Millions of low-income and rural households in India rely on cheap and highly polluting fuels, such as wood, cow dung, and other biomass sources, for cooking and heating. These fuels produce a near-permanent haze and smoke observed over both rural and urban areas of the country.
Geographical Factors
Northern India's geography, with the Himalayas forming a barrier to the north, prevents the dispersion of air pollutants. This natural barrier, combined with wind patterns, traps pollution in certain regions, making it challenging for the pollutants to escape.
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Health impacts of India's pollution
India was the third most polluted country globally in 2023, with New Delhi being the most polluted capital city in the world. The country's PM 2.5 concentration value exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline value of 5 μg/m3 by over ten times. This level of pollution poses significant health risks to India's population of 1.36 billion people.
The health impacts of India's pollution are extensive and far-reaching. Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) shortens an average Indian's life expectancy by 5.3 years, and in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, residents are on track to lose 11.9 years of life expectancy if current pollution levels persist. Over a million Indians die prematurely every year due to air pollution, and the country has one of the highest numbers of COPD patients and the highest number of deaths due to COPD. According to a 2013 study on non-smokers, Indians have 30% weaker lung function than Europeans.
The impact of pollution is disproportionately felt by poorer people, particularly those working in construction, factories, and unhygienic environments. These individuals may also be nutritionally and immunologically compromised, further exacerbating the health impacts of pollution. Additionally, indoor air pollution and carbon monoxide poisoning due to the use of biomass-burning cookstoves in Indian households contribute to an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 deaths annually.
The economic consequences of India's pollution are also significant. The loss of output due to premature mortality and morbidity has adverse effects on the country's economic growth and productivity. The health-care expenditures associated with pollution-related diseases further burden the economy. According to a Lancet study, worsening air pollution in 2019 resulted in an estimated loss of US$28.8 billion worth of output for India.
To address these health and economic impacts, India has launched initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), aiming to reduce particulate pollution by 20%-30% by 2024. The country has also partnered with academic institutions to study air pollution and find effective solutions. However, the success of these initiatives depends on strong enforcement and access to reliable, timely data on air pollution.
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India's pollution control initiatives
India was ranked as the third most polluted country globally in 2023. New Delhi, the capital, is the most polluted capital city in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 102.1 μg/m3—over 20 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) limit. India's PM2.5 concentration value exceeds the WHO guideline value of 5 μg/m3 by over ten times.
Despite the pressing environmental challenges India faces, the country has implemented several initiatives to combat pollution and improve air quality. Here is an overview of some of India's pollution control initiatives:
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
Recognizing the urgency to address air pollution, India declared a "war against pollution" and launched the NCAP in 2019. The program aimed to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% nationally relative to 2017 levels by 2024. The NCAP targeted 102 cities that were not meeting India's national annual PM5 standards, termed "non-attainment cities." The new goal is a 40% reduction relative to 2017 levels for 131 non-attainment cities by 2025-2026. The NCAP focuses on reducing emissions, expanding air monitoring networks, capacity building for pollution management, and strengthening public awareness.
The India Lighthouse Initiative
The India Lighthouse Initiative brings together experts from India and around the world to develop India-specific practices using state-of-the-art tools to better understand, manage, and control air pollution. This initiative emphasizes the importance of integrating air quality management into government capabilities and the behaviors of businesses and individuals.
The Great Green Wall of Aravalli
This initiative involves the creation of a 1,600-kilometer-long and 5-kilometer-wide green ecological corridor along the Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi. The project includes planting 1.35 billion native trees over ten years to combat pollution and improve air quality.
The National Air Quality Index
In 2015, the Government of India, together with IIT Kanpur, launched the National Air Quality Index to monitor and assess air quality across the country.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
Passed in 1981, this legislation aimed to regulate air pollution in India. However, it has been criticized for poor enforcement of the rules, which has limited its effectiveness in reducing pollution levels.
Other Governmental Initiatives
The Indian government has also launched various other initiatives that contribute to environmental protection and pollution reduction. These include the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the National Mission for Clean Ganga, the Jal Jeevan Mission, and Community Drinking Water Schemes. These projects promote the use of cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions in water and wastewater treatment, smart water management, and environmental conservation.
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Frequently asked questions
India was ranked fifth in the world for pollution in 2024.
India has 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world.
Delhi is the most polluted city in India and the world.
Industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, and the burning of crops and biomass are the main causes of India's air pollution.
Air pollution reduces the life expectancy of the average Indian by 5.3 years.
