Delhi ranks worst for PM10, second for PM2.5 pollution in 2025: Report

New Delhi: Delhi recorded the highest average PM10 pollution levels in India in 2025, making it the most polluted city in the country for coarse particulate matter, according to a new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

The report found that Delhi’s annual average PM10 concentration stood at 197 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly three times higher than the national safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The capital crossed the permissible PM10 limit on 285 days during the year, highlighting the severity of air pollution.

In terms of finer particulate matter, Delhi ranked as the second most polluted city for PM2.5 in 2025. The annual average PM2.5 level was recorded at 96 micrograms per cubic metre, almost double the national standard of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Daily PM2.5 limits were exceeded on 212 days, indicating prolonged exposure to unhealthy air.

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The analysis also showed that air quality remains poor across the National Capital Region, with 12 out of 14 NCR cities failing to meet the PM2.5 standard.

On funding, the report noted that Rs 13,415 crore has been released so far under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and Fifteenth Finance Commission grants. Of this, Rs 9,929 crore, or 74 per cent, has been utilised. However, Delhi emerged as one of the weaker performers in fund usage, spending only 33 per cent of the amount allocated for clean air measures.

The report added that Delhi is among the cities that have completed a source apportionment study to identify major pollution sources. Despite this, CREA said that even after seven years of the NCAP, cities like Delhi remain far from achieving national air quality standards. It noted that the programme’s target of a 40 per cent reduction in PM10 levels is unlikely to be met within the current timeline.

The analysis called for greater focus on reducing PM2.5 pollution, stricter emission controls and a regional, airshed-based approach to effectively tackle air pollution in Delhi and surrounding areas.

The NCAP was launched by the Centre in 2019 to improve air quality in 130 non-attainment and million-plus cities. The programme initially aimed for a 20–30 per cent reduction in PM10 levels by 2024–25, later revised to a 40 per cent reduction or meeting national standards by 2025–26 through city-specific action plans and coordinated funding support.

(with inputs from agencies)