204 of 238 Indian cities did not meet air quality standards: CREA
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Pollution (air, water, plastic)· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) released an analysis of CPCB data showing that 204 out of 238 Indian cities failed to meet national air quality standards during winter 2025-26.
Background
The analysis revealed that 204 out of 238 Indian cities exceeded the Indian PM2.5 standard of 40 g/m³. Ghaziabad, Noida, and Delhi were the top polluters, while Chamarajanagar in Karnataka was the cleanest city.
Facts for Prelims
- FactIndian standard for PM2.5: 40 g/m³
- FactWHO standard for PM2.5: 5 g/m³
- PlaceChamarajanagar (Karnataka): Cleanest city in the study
- BodyCPCB: Central Pollution Control Board (Data source)
- PlaceGhaziabad, Noida, Delhi, and Greater Noida: Top four most polluted cities
For Mains
Q. Critically analyze the factors contributing to persistent urban air pollution in India and suggest measures to align domestic air quality standards with WHO guidelines.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory gap: Discrepancy between Indian PM2.5 standards (40 g/m³) and WHO guidelines (5 g/m³)
- Urban infrastructure: High concentration of pollutants in NCR cities like Ghaziabad and Noida
- Monitoring limitations: Challenges in real-time data integration across 238 cities
Keywords: Air Quality Index · PM2.5 · Urban Pollution · Public Health · Environmental Governance
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