Is the air quality good in India?
On October 1, 2026, air quality in India is poor, with major cities experiencing air quality in the unhealthy to very unhealthy range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.
By 10:00 AM IST (Indian Standard Time, GMT+5:30), many urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 300, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.
While conditions remain poor, India’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 48.9 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 134, classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups". This level is nearly 9.8 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing India sixth globally in the 2025 World Air Quality Report.
Air quality map of India and neighboring countries as of October 1, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Which cities are affected by bad air quality in India?
As of October 1, 2026, several major cities across India are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:
Air quality conditions can change throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see India's air quality map.
Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 10:00 AM (IST), October 1, 2026. Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in India?
As the monsoon withdraws in October, India's air quality enters its most challenging seasonal period. Temperature inversions and a shallow planetary boundary layer trap pollutants near the surface, sustaining poor to severe AQI categories across India from October through February.
Short-term improvements depend on favorable weather, with winds and rain helping to disperse pollutants. Full relief will not arrive until the following monsoon season, and lasting improvement requires stronger policy enforcement and effective regulation of stubble burning.
What is causing poor air quality in India?
The root causes of air pollution in India include household emissions, power sector emissions, industrial activities, transportation, open burning of crops and waste, and dust, with household emissions contributing about 30 to 50% of ambient PM2.5 levels year-round (1).
As autumn transitions into winter, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana peaks between late October and mid-November, explaining 78% of Delhi's aerosol variance during this period (2). Post-monsoon temperature inversions intensify pollution further, with Diwali fireworks adding a sharp additional spike, pushing 80% of cities into severe or hazardous air quality categories on festival nights (3).
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How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
