A new report by IQAir ranks India as the fifth most polluted country in the world, with Delhi continuing to be the most polluted capital city globally.
March 11, 2025: India continues to struggle with hazardous air quality, with 13 out of the world’s 20 most polluted cities located within its borders, according to the World Air Quality Report 2024 released by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. The report ranks Byrnihat in Assam as the most polluted city globally, while Delhi remains the world’s most polluted capital city.
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📊 India’s Pollution Ranking
Despite a 7% decline in PM2.5 levels, India ranked fifth among the world’s most polluted countries in 2024, improving from third place in 2023. The annual PM2.5 average across India stood at 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre, slightly better than 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. However, the air quality in Delhi saw little improvement, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic metre—barely reduced from 92.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023.
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🌆 Most Polluted Cities in India
The report lists the 13 Indian cities among the top 20 most polluted globally:
1️⃣ Byrnihat (Assam)
2️⃣ Delhi
3️⃣ Mullanpur (Punjab)
4️⃣ Faridabad
5️⃣ Loni
6️⃣ New Delhi
7️⃣ Gurugram
8️⃣ Ganganagar
9️⃣ Greater Noida
🔟 Bhiwadi
1️⃣1️⃣ Muzaffarnagar
1️⃣2️⃣ Hanumangarh
1️⃣3️⃣ Noida
🚨 Health Crisis Due to Air Pollution
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Air pollution in India remains a severe health hazard, with PM2.5 exposure linked to a reduction in life expectancy by 5.2 years. A Lancet Planetary Health study reported that from 2009 to 2019, around 1.5 million deaths per year in India were potentially linked to long-term PM2.5 exposure.
What is PM2.5?
PM2.5 consists of fine air pollution particles smaller than 2.5 microns, capable of entering the lungs and bloodstream. Primary sources include:
- Vehicle emissions 🚗
- Industrial pollution 🏭
- Burning of wood and crop waste 🔥
📢 Experts Call for Urgent Action
Former WHO Chief Scientist and health ministry advisor Soumya Swaminathan emphasized the need for immediate measures to combat pollution:
🟢 Solutions for Rural Areas:
- Replace biomass cooking with LPG cylinders, increasing subsidies for poorer families.
🟢 Urban Strategies:
- Expand public transport 🚇
- Introduce penalties for polluting vehicles 🚙
- Enforce stricter emission laws for industries and construction sites
“India has the data—now we need action,” Swaminathan said.
As pollution levels remain dangerously high, the need for stricter regulations and sustainable solutions has never been more urgent.
🏷 Tags:
Air Pollution, India Pollution, Delhi Pollution, IQAir Report, PM2.5, Climate Change, Environment, Air Quality Index, World Pollution Ranking, Public Health