Air pollution in India continues to be a major environmental and public health challenge. Every year, especially during winter, India witnesses severe deterioration in air quality—particularly in Delhi-NCR and northern plains. For UPSC, understanding the causes, indicators such as AQI, government initiatives, and key policy interventions is essential for GS-III and Environment segments.
✅ What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere that negatively affect human health, the environment, and climate. Pollutants may be gases, particulate matter, heavy metals, or biological molecules.
🌫️ Major Causes of Air Pollution in India
| Category | Key Sources |
|---|---|
| Industrial Emissions | Thermal power plants, manufacturing units, brick kilns |
| Vehicular Pollution | Rising vehicle population, diesel engines, congested traffic |
| Agricultural Activities | Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, UP |
| Construction & Road Dust | Infrastructure projects, unpaved roads, demolition |
| Household Pollution | Biomass burning, chulhas in rural areas |
| Waste Burning | Burning of municipal solid waste in cities |
| Natural Causes | Dust storms, forest fires, temperature inversion in winters |
India is home to 63 of the world’s 100 most polluted cities (2024).
Also Read: The ASEAN-India Summit 2025
📍 Air Quality Index (AQI):
AQI is a daily indicator that measures the level of air pollution. It categorises air quality into six levels:
| AQI Range | Category | Health Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 | Good | Minimal health impact |
| 51–100 | Satisfactory | Minor discomfort |
| 101–200 | Moderate | Breathing discomfort to sensitive groups |
| 201–300 | Poor | Discomfort to most people |
| 301–400 | Very Poor | Respiratory illness, long exposure harmful |
| 401–500 | Severe | Serious health impact, emergency conditions |
🧬 Major Air Pollutants in India
- PM2.5 & PM10: Fine particulate matter—most dangerous; penetrates lungs and bloodstream
- NO₂: From vehicle and industrial combustion
- SO₂: Thermal plants, burning of fossil fuels
- CO: Incomplete combustion from vehicles
- Ozone (Ground-level O₃): Formed by chemical reactions in sunlight
- Lead & Heavy Metals: Industrial smelting, e-waste burning
🚨 Impact of Air Pollution
Health Impact
- Respiratory diseases: asthma, bronchitis, COPD
- Cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths
- WHO report: India sees ~16 lakh premature deaths annually due to air pollution
Environmental Impact
- Acid rain
- Reduced agricultural productivity
- Atmospheric Brown Cloud, glacier melt in Himalayas
Economic Impact
- World Bank (2023): India loses nearly 5% of its GDP annually due to pollution-related health costs
🏛️ Government Initiatives to Control Air Pollution (UPSC Notes)
1. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), 2019
- Target: 40% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2026 (revised)
- Covers 131 non-attainment cities
- Focus: monitoring, clean mobility, public awareness
2. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), 2017
- Implemented in Delhi-NCR
- Stage-wise restrictions based on AQI such as halt on construction, diesel vehicle bans
3. Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), 2020
- Statutory body for Delhi-NCR air quality management
4. Other Initiatives
- National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)
- Faster adoption of EVs through FAME-II
- Bio-decomposer for stubble management (PUSA)
🔬 Technological & Innovative Solutions
- Smog towers (Delhi)
- Mechanical road sweepers & anti-smog guns
- Green highways and green fuel shift (CNG, Ethanol-20, Hydrogen)
- AI-based pollution forecasting systems
🧠 International Efforts Relevant for UPSC
- Paris Agreement (2015)
- WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines
- UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 & 3
📌 Challenges in Tackling Air Pollution
- Multi-state problem, lacks coordinated enforcement
- Seasonal spikes due to weather inversion
- Weak municipal solid waste management
- Slow transition to clean energy
🌍 Way Forward
- Crop diversification to reduce stubble burning
- Clean fuel transition for households
- Green urban planning – more urban forests
- Congestion pricing & carpooling norms in metros
- Polluter-pays principle with strict enforcement
🏁 Conclusion
Air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it is a public health emergency. A coordinated approach involving government agencies, industries, farmers, and citizens is needed to achieve clean air. Sustainable solutions and strict enforcement of policy measures will be key to securing India’s ecological and economic future.
📝 UPSC Practice Questions
Prelims MCQs
- Which of the following pollutants is not included in the National Air Quality Index (AQI)?
A. PM2.5
B. Ozone
C. Lead
D. Methane
Answer: D - Under the NCAP, the Government of India aims to reduce particulate matter levels by:
A. 15–20% by 2025
B. 20–30% by 2025
C. 40% by 2026
D. 50% by 2030
Answer: C - GRAP is implemented under the jurisdiction of:
A. NITI Aayog
B. CAQM
C. CPCB
D. Ministry of Road Transport
Answer: B
Mains Practice Question
Q1. “Air pollution in India is more of a governance challenge than a technology problem.” Analyse. (250 words)
Read More: Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Amendment Rules, 2025
