According to Respirer Living Sciences’ Towards Clear Skies 2025 research, India reduced air pollution by 26.84% between 2019 and 2024. The benefit of focused actions was demonstrated by the 24.45% improvement in air quality that cities participating in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) saw.

With an astounding 76.4% decrease in air pollution, Varanasi took the lead overall, followed by Moradabad (58%) and Kanpur (51.2%). Due to improved public transit and more stringent industry rules, Kolkata achieved a 21.5% decrease among big cities.

Despite the advancements, Delhi and Byrnihat, Assam, are still the most polluted cities, with PM2.5 concentrations of 107 µg/m³ and 127.3 µg/m³ in 2024, respectively. Significant air quality issues persist in Gurugram (96.7 µg/m³), Faridabad (87.1 µg/m³), and Ghaziabad (79.9 µg/m³).

Regional Disparities and Persistent Challenges

The report noted significant geographical differences in the improvement of air quality. While northern cities battled industrial emissions, vehicle pollution, and seasonal variables like stubble burning, southern and western cities, such as Bengaluru (8% reduction) and Chennai (9.2% reduction), made steady improvements.

Smaller cities are underrepresented in national data due to inadequate infrastructure for monitoring air quality, and policy enforcement remains inconsistent. In highly populated regions, vehicle and industrial pollution continue to be the main causes of poor air quality. Pollution spikes in the northern areas are nonetheless made worse by stubble burning and winter haze.

Respirer Living Sciences founder Ronak Sutaria described the results as “a mix of hope and caution,” calling for further efforts to address persistent pollution in northern cities, including Delhi, Faridabad, and Gurugram.

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Challenges Ahead and the Path to 2026 Targets

When the NCAP was first introduced in 2019, its intended goal was to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20–30% by 2024. India reduced air pollution by 26.84% between 2019 and 2024, marking significant progress toward this goal. In light of the necessity for quicker action, the target was later revised to a 40% reduction by 2026.

Short-term decreases in pollution during COVID-19 lockdowns demonstrated how behavioral adjustments and more stringent laws could effectively reduce emissions. Nonetheless, cleaner technology, more robust regulatory enforcement, more extensive monitoring, and public awareness are necessary to maintain progress.

The study underlined the urgency of reducing inequities and speeding up initiatives in the automotive, agricultural, and industrial sectors to fulfill the updated objectives. Sutaria stated that customized solutions, increased compliance, and creative methods are crucial to achieving cleaner air and lessening the recurrent effects of seasonal pollution events, like stubble burning and winter smog.

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