Why Doesn’t India Accept Global Air Pollution Rankings? Centre Explains in Parliament

As air pollution continues to pose a major national challenge, the Centre informed Parliament that India follows its own air quality standards, and that international rankings released by various organisations have no official endorsement from the government.

It further clarified that the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) air quality guidelines are advisory and not binding on India.

The clarification came in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha regarding India’s position in global assessments such as IQAir’s World Air Quality Ranking, the WHO Global Air Quality Database, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) metrics.

Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that the WHO framework is designed to guide countries in developing their own standards based on geography, climate, and local environmental realities.

“India has already notified its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 12 major pollutants to protect public health and environmental quality,” he said.

He added that while no international body issues official country rankings for air quality, the government conducts its own assessments through the annual Swachh Vayu Survekshan. Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), this survey evaluates 130 Indian cities based on their pollution-reduction measures and progress.

The Centre’s remarks follow months after Swiss-based air monitoring organisation IQAir reported that India did not meet the WHO’s stringent air quality benchmarks for 2024. According to its March report, India ranked fifth globally in terms of pollution levels, with 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities located in the country. Byrnihat in Assam topped the list, while Delhi was identified as the most polluted capital globally.

Delhi has continued to battle severe smog episodes in recent months, with its Air Quality Index repeatedly slipping into the ‘hazardous’ category.

Also Read: While Delhi Gasps for Breath, Shillong and Gangtok Top India’s Clean-Air Chart