International ReportsImportant2026-03-24

IQAir World Air Quality Report 2025 Publication

In News

What Happened

On March 24, 2026, Swiss technology company IQAir published its 8th annual World Air Quality Report tracking global PM2.5 levels for 2025. The report revealed that only 14 percent of global cities met the WHO annual PM2.5 guidelines. India ranked as the 6th most polluted country globally, with New Delhi remaining the most polluted capital city and Loni emerging as the most polluted city overall.

Why It Matters

This report highlights the severe and persistent public health crisis caused by particulate matter in India. It underscores the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and strengthen regional coordination to combat vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop burning.

Background

History & Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) updated its Air Quality Guidelines in 2021, halving the acceptable annual average for PM2.5 from 10 to 5 micrograms per cubic meter. To address severe domestic air pollution, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. NCAP originally aimed for a 20 to 30 percent reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024, which was later revised to a 40 percent reduction target by 2026 for non-attainment cities.

What Changed

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BEFORE: India's position in the global ranking fluctuated, previously placing 3rd in the 2023 report and 8th in 2022. NOW: India is explicitly ranked as the 6th most polluted country globally based on 2025 data.
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BEFORE: The WHO's older guidelines allowed an annual average PM2.5 of 10 micrograms per cubic meter, making compliance easier. NOW: The stricter 5 micrograms per cubic meter guideline means only a fraction (14 percent) of global cities are in compliance.
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BEFORE: Previous reports often featured different cities like Begusarai as the absolute top of the global most polluted cities list. NOW: Loni has emerged as the single most polluted city in the world according to the latest report.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly relates to Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 14 (Environmental Chemistry). The chapter discusses tropospheric pollution, including particulate pollutants like PM2.5, their sources from combustion and industry, and their severe physiological effects on the human respiratory system.

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to air quality monitoring and guidelines, consider the following statements: 1. The World Health Organization's updated annual safe limit for PM2.5 is 5 micrograms per cubic meter. 2. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to completely eliminate all PM2.5 emissions in India by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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