CREA Report Flags Sharp Decline in Air Quality Across Indian Cities in October

India’s air quality deteriorated notably in October 2025, with pollution levels rising across much of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the National Capital Region (NCR), according to a new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The report titled “India Monthly Ambient Air Quality Snapshot: October 2025” highlights that the number of cities recording “good” air quality dropped sharply, while Delhi ranked among the ten most polluted cities in the country during the month.

Worsening Pollution Across the Indo-Gangetic Plain

CREA’s report revealed that particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations spiked across several northern states during October. The top ten most polluted cities were concentrated in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, with Dharuhera recording the highest monthly average PM2.5 level at around 123 µg/m³. Rohtak recorded 120 µg/m³, Ghaziabad 114 µg/m³, Noida 112 µg/m³, and Ballabgarh 109 µg/m³. Delhi ranked sixth, recording an average PM2.5 level of 107 µg/m³, while Bhiwadi, Greater Noida, Hapur, and Gurgaon completed the list of the ten worst-performing cities.

The report noted that out of 249 cities with adequate monitoring data, 212 met India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for daily PM2.5 levels of 60 µg/m³. However, only six cities complied with the World Health Organisation’s stricter daily guideline of 15 µg/m³. CREA highlighted that the decline in air quality was not confined to the northern plains, with pollution levels worsening across various parts of the country compared to September.

Seasonal Blame Misplaced: Year-Round Pollution Dominates

Contrary to common perception, the report found that stubble burning accounted for less than 6% of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels in October. The findings suggest that year-round sources, such as vehicles, industries, construction dust, and power generation, remain the primary contributors to poor air quality in the NCR and surrounding states. This challenges the narrative that post-harvest burning in Punjab and Haryana is the single most significant cause of Delhi’s winter smog.

CREA analysts observed that India’s pollution crisis is not created by winter or festive events but rather exposed by them. Persistent emissions combined with unfavourable meteorological conditions during the colder months trap pollutants closer to the ground. Experts have stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy that targets continuous pollution sources year-round rather than focusing solely on seasonal measures such as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Decline in Cleaner Cities and Policy Implications

The CREA report also recorded a significant drop in the number of cities categorised as “good” for air quality. In September, 179 cities had average PM2.5 levels between 0 and 30 µg/m³, but that number fell to just 68 in October. Meanwhile, cities in the “satisfactory” category (31–60 µg/m³) rose from 52 to 144, and those in the “moderate” category (61–90 µg/m³) increased from four to 27. Nine cities fell into the “poor” category (91–120 µg/m³), while a town recorded “very poor” air quality above 121 µg/m³.

Experts say that while many cities continue to meet India’s national standards, the benchmarks themselves remain less stringent than global health guidelines. CREA’s findings point to the need for stronger emission-control policies, improved urban planning, and year-round enforcement of air-quality measures. Without structural reforms targeting industrial, vehicular, and dust emissions, India’s recurring air pollution episodes are likely to continue affecting millions each year.

References:

India monthly ambient air quality snapshot: October 2025

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-quality-across-india-worsened-in-october-2025-crea-report/article70243875.ece

Banner image: Photo by Subhra Jyoti Paul on Unsplash

Vivek Saini
Vivek Saini
Articles: 291

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