The Indian government has clarified that no official global ranking exists for country-wise air pollution levels. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that widely cited international indices, including the IQAir World Air Quality Report, WHO Global Air Quality Database, Environmental Performance Index (EPI), and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) metrics, are not conducted by any official authority.
Singh emphasized that the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines serve only as advisory values to guide nations in improving air quality. He explained that India develops its own standards based on geographic conditions, environmental factors, socio-economic realities, and national circumstances. The government has notified the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 12 pollutants since 2009 to safeguard public health and the environment.
Responding to questions about Delhi’s air quality, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted notable improvements in recent years. The number of “Good to Moderate” air quality days in Delhi has nearly doubled, from 110 days in 2016 to 200 days in 2025 (January–November). The city’s average AQI has improved from 213 in 2018 to 187 in 2025, and no day in 2025 has crossed the “Severe Plus” category. Additionally, farm fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana have fallen by around 90% this year compared to 2022.
India also conducts its own annual Swachh Vayu Survekshan, ranking 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for actual air-quality improvement efforts. While WHO tightened its PM2.5 guidelines in 2021, India continues to follow its 2009 NAAQS, which it maintains are suitable for national conditions.
The government’s statement comes amid frequent comparisons of India’s air quality with global indices, clarifying that these rankings should not be treated as official benchmarks.
