AQLI 2025: India’s Air Quality Improves Slightly but Delhi Remains World’s Most Polluted City
Analysis:
- Global Context
- The 8th Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Report 2025, prepared by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), highlights that South Asia remains the most polluted region in the world.
- The report links air pollution and climate change, noting that extreme events such as wildfires have worsened pollution levels in some developed countries.
- Delhi: Most Polluted Global City
- New Delhi has topped the global pollution list for eight consecutive AQLI reports.
- In 2023, Delhi recorded PM2.5 levels of about 88.4 µg/m³, the highest among major cities studied.
- Long-term exposure to this pollution could reduce life expectancy by about 8.2 years.
- India’s Overall Air Pollution Impact
- India’s average PM2.5 level is about 41 µg/m³.
- Long-term exposure could reduce life expectancy by about 3.5 years on average.
- Compared to the 2018 AQLI report, where potential life expectancy loss in Delhi was almost 10 years, the latest estimate shows a gradual decline to about 8.2 years.
- South Asia Pollution Pattern
- Bangladesh is more polluted than India in terms of average national PM2.5 levels.
- Average PM2.5 levels
- Bangladesh: 60.8 µg/m³
- India: 41 µg/m³
- However, Delhi (88.4 µg/m³) is more polluted than Dhaka (76.4 µg/m³) among major cities.
- Health Impact
- In South Asia, the effect of particulate pollution on life expectancy is:
- Nearly twice the impact of childhood and maternal malnutrition.
- More than five times the impact of unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
- Government Measures in India
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in January 2019.
- Target:
- Initially aimed to reduce pollution in about 100 cities.
- Expanded to around 130 cities.
- Target raised to 40% reduction in pollution levels by 2026.
- Government reported positive results in 103 cities, with 22 cities meeting national standards.
- Key Institutional and Policy Measures
- Establishment of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for the NCR region.
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to implement emergency measures during pollution spikes.
- Expansion of real-time air quality monitoring network from a few stations in 2014 to nearly 600 monitors across India.
- Introduction of Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission standards, skipping directly from BS-IV to BS-VI.
- Limitations in Pollution Control
- 46% vacancy in pollution control agencies.
- Difficulty in enforcing bans on crop residue burning and fireworks.
- Weak regulation of old vehicles and coal-based power plants.
- NCAP focuses on PM10, while PM2.5 is far more harmful and harder to control.
- Global Pollution Developments
- United States and Canada experienced major increases in pollution due to severe wildfires in 2023.
- Canada recorded a more than 50% increase in PM2.5 levels, the worst wildfire season in its history.
- United States pollution increased by about 20% compared to 2022.
- Life Expectancy Impact Trend (AQLI Estimates)
| AQLI Report Year | India Life Expectancy Loss (Years) | Delhi Life Expectancy Loss (Years) |
|---|
| 2018 | 4.2 | 9.75 |
| 2019 | 4.07 | 9.23 |
| 2020 | 4.09 | 9.24 |
| 2021 | 3.73 | 7.89 |
| 2022 | 3.87 | 8.6 |
| 2023 | 3.92 | 8.61 |
| 2024 | 3.5 | 7.81 |
| 2025 | 3.5 | 8.2 |
- Key Insight
- Air pollution remains the largest external threat to human life expectancy globally, especially in South Asia.
Static / Background Information
- Air Quality Life Index (AQLI)
- Developed by Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).
- Measures impact of long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution on life expectancy.
- PM2.5 (Particulate Matter ≤2.5 micrometers)
- Fine particles capable of entering the lungs and bloodstream.
- Major sources include vehicle emissions, coal power plants, industry, construction dust, and biomass burning.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- Launched January 2019 by the Government of India.
- Objective: Reduce particulate pollution by up to 40% by 2026 in non-attainment cities.
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- Statutory body responsible for air pollution control in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
- Emergency framework that imposes restrictions based on pollution severity levels.
Updated - 28 August 2025 ; 07:30 AM | News Source: Health Policy Watch, The Hindu