No Official Global Air Pollution Rankings, Says Centre

The Union Government told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that no official country-wise global air pollution ranking exists. Widely cited indices—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, and their results are indicative rather than official.

Key points from the response:

• WHO air quality guidelines are advisory; countries set their own standards based on local conditions.

• India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), notified in 2009, cover 12 pollutants tailored to national circumstances.

• The government conducts Swachh Vayu Survekshan, ranking 130 cities on air-quality improvement efforts under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

Delhi’s air quality improvements highlighted:

• “Good to Moderate” AQI days increased from 110 in 2016 to 200 in 2025.

• Average AQI (Jan–Nov) improved from 213 in 2018 to 187 in 2025.

• No “Severe Plus” days (AQI >450) recorded in 2025.

• Farm fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana fell ~90% during the 2025 paddy season compared to 2022.

The government noted that while WHO tightened PM2.5 limits in 2021, India continues to follow its 2009 NAAQS (24-hour PM2.5: 60 μg/m³; annual: 40 μg/m³), which it maintains are appropriate for national conditions.