Is the air quality good in India?
As of November 20, 2025, air quality in India remains very poor, with major cities experiencing "unhealthy" to "hazardous" levels and dangerously high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.
Many urban centers this morning (local time) have recorded AQI readings above 200, 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 2024 was 50.6 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 138, classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups". This level is nearly 11 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, making India the world’s 5th most polluted country in 2024.
Air quality map of India and neighboring countries on the morning of November 20, 2025. Source IQAir.
Which cities are affected by bad air quality in India?
As of November 20 2025, cities in India impacted by poor air quality include:
- Agra
- Aurangabad
- Bhopal
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Cuttack
-
Delhi
- Ghaziabad
- Gurugram
- Gwalior
- Hyderabad
- Indore
- Jabalpur
- Jaipur
- Jodhpur
- Karnal
- Kolhapur
- Kolkata
- Kota
- Lucknow
- Ludhiana
- Malda
-
Meerut
- Moradabad
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
- New Delhi
- Noida
- Patna
- Prayagraj
- Pune
- Purulia
- Udaipur
For a more detailed look, see India's air quality map.
Delhi, India, ranked as the most polluted major city, while Kolkata and Mumbai ranked as the 8th and 11th most polluted globally on the morning of November 20, 2025. Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in India?
Improvement in the short term depends on favorable weather, winds, rain, and higher mixing will help disperse pollutants. However, as winter sets in, cooler air and temperature inversions trap pollution near the ground, meaning conditions may remain poor without major emission reductions. Forecasts suggest air quality may stay in unhealthy ranges throughout winter unless significant interventions occur.
What is causing poor air quality in India?
Air pollution in India during winter stems from a combination of human activities and weather conditions. Recent studies confirm that the main contributors include large-scale crop residue burning in northern states and stagnant atmospheric conditions (1).
Additional sources include residential use of coal and biomass for heating, and emissions from vehicles, industries, and construction (2). During winter, temperature inversions, calm winds, and shallow boundary layers trap pollutants near the ground, leading to a buildup of smog and significantly worsening air quality (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.
