Is the air quality good in India?
As of January 5, 2026, air quality in India remains poor, with major cities experiencing "unhealthy" to "very unhealthy" levels and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.
By 9:00 AM (India Standard Time), many urban centers 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, placing India fifth globally in the 2024 World Air Quality Report.
Air quality map of India and neighboring countries on the morning of January 5, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Which cities are affected by bad air quality in India?
As of January 5, 2026, several major cities across India are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:
- Agra
- Ahmedabad
- Bhiwadi
- Chandigarh
- Delhi
- Gwalior
- Jaipur
- Kolkata
- Lucknow
- Meerut
- Moradabad
- Mumbai
- Noida
- New Delhi
- Patna
-
Siliguri
Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see India's air quality map.
Delhi ranked as the world’s most polluted major city, while Kolkata and Mumbai placed 2nd and 14th globally, respectively, on the morning of January 5, 2026. 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.
