**Executive Summary**
This document presents answers to questions raised in the Lok Sabha concerning the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) targets and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). It details the progress of NCAP since its launch in 2019, including the implementation of air quality improvement measures in 130 cities. The response also addresses concerns about AQI levels, monitoring, and data dissemination, with a reference to the details of State-wise allocation, release and Utilisation of funds under NCAP for FY 2019-20 to 2025-26 included in Annexure-I. The questions were scheduled to be addressed on 15.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):**
* Launched in 2019 as a long-term strategy to address air pollution in 130 cities/urban agglomerations across 24 States/UTs.
* City-Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared by all 130 cities targeting pollution sources.
* 103 cities showed reduction in PM10 concentration in 2024-25 with respect to 2017-18.
* 64 cities have shown reduction in PM10 levels by more than 20% with respect to base year 2017-18 and 25 of these cities have achieved a reduction of more than 40%.
* A total of 22 Cities have met NAAQS and have PM10 Concentrations less than 60 µg/m³.
* **Air Quality Standards & Monitoring:**
* NAAQS were notified for 12 pollutants in 2009.
* AQI is generated through Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS).
* Data from sensors not specified in NAAQS is not used for regulatory purposes due to unestablished accuracy.
* Ambient air quality monitoring is conducted by CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in 583 cities.
* Total 1597 air quality monitoring stations are present across 583 cities, with 562 CAAQMS and 1035 Manual stations.
* AQI is disseminated on a real-time basis in more than 250 cities through a centralised air quality portal and SAMEER mobile application.
* **Air Quality Improvement Trends:**
* In 2022, 124 out of 134 cities showed more good days (AQI≤200).
* In 2023, 189 out of 191 cities showed more good days (AQI≤200).
* In 2024, 228 out of 231 cities showed more good days (AQI≤200).
* **Financial Aspects:**
* NCAP emphasizes mobilizing resources through convergence of various schemes of Central & State Governments.
* State-wise details of funds allocated, released and utilized under NCAP are enclosed at Annexure I.
* **Data Accessibility:**
* Air quality monitoring data is available on respective SPCBs/PCCs websites.
* CPCB issues a daily bulletin at 04:00 PM comprising AQI of various cities in the country.
* SAMEER app serves as a grievance redressal mechanism.
**Impact Analysis**
**Central and State Governments/ UT administrations/ Municipal Corporations**
* **Impact:** Required to align their various schemes with NCAP to mobilise resources for air quality improvement.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing and converging relevant schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart City Mission etc.
**Pollution Control Boards/ Committees (CPCB/SPCBs/PCCs)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for installing and maintaining monitoring stations, collecting ambient air quality data, and ensuring data quality.
* **Action Required:** Maintain real-time air quality data dissemination and operate according to CPCB guidelines.
**Citizens**
* **Impact:** Access to real-time air quality data and a mechanism to report pollution-related complaints.
* **Action Required:** Use the SAMEER app to report pollution complaints and stay informed about air quality in their cities.
Key Entities Referenced
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): A long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy to address air pollution in non-attainment and million-plus cities across India.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): Environmental standards for ambient air quality to protect public health, notified under the Environmental Protection Rules, 1986.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The central government ministry responsible for launching and overseeing the National Clean Air Programme and establishing air quality standards.
Air Quality Index (AQI): A metric used to report daily air quality. Used to understand compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): The primary organization for air quality monitoring in the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2339
TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
National Ambient Air Quality Standards Targets
2339. SHRI RAHUL GANDHI:
SHRI BHAJAN LAL JATAV:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the percentage of the current Air Quality Index (AQI) improvement plan actually
implemented in view of the fact that the country's AQI has been continuously rising over
the last three years;
(b) the details of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards targets for 2025-26, the details
of cities where PM2.5 and PM10 levels have been met along with the cities where
standards have not been met;
(c) the details of the funds allocated, released and utilised under National Clean Air
Programme (NCAP) since 2019, State-wise;
(d) whether the Government is aware that nearly two-thirds of cities monitored by the
Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have moderate or worse rating of Air Quality Index
(AQI);
(e) whether the Government is aware of reports revealing that independent monitors
indicate more severe AQI levels than Government-operated monitors.
(f) the reasons for the number AQI monitoring stations being significantly lower as
compared to international standards; and
(g) the time by which the real-time data collection for identifying pollution sources is likely
to become fully automated?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (g): Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the National Clean
Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 and it is a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy to
address air pollution in 130 non-attainment and million plus cities/urban agglomeration in 24
States/UTs. City Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared by all 130 cities under
NCAP to implement air quality improvement measures in respective cities. These plans target
air pollution sources like soil & road dust, vehicular emissions, waste burning, Construction &
Demolition activities and industrial pollution.
Focused actions by 130 cities under NCAP have shown positive results with 103 cities showing
reduction in PM concentration in 2024-25 with respect to 2017-18, 64 cities have shown
10reduction in PM levels by more than 20% with respect to base year 2017-18 and 25 of these
10
cities have achieved a reduction of more than 40%. A total of 22 Cities have met NAAQS and
have PM Concentrations less than 60 µg/m3.
10
Further, National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been notified for 12
pollutants in 2009 under the Environmental Protection Rules, 1986 to protect public health and
environment from air pollution.
In 2022, out of 134 cities for which AQI was disseminated, 124 cities showed more good days
(AQI≤200). Similarly, in 2023, out of 191 such cities, 189 cities showed more good days
(AQI≤200). In 2024, out of 231 cities, 228 cities showed more good days (AQI≤200).
State- wise details of funds allocated, released and utilised under NCAP are enclosed at
Annexure I. Further, the programme emphasises the mobilisation of resources through
convergence of various schemes of Central & State Governments such as Swachh Bharat
Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart City Mission, PM e-Bus Sewa, PM E-DRIVE, SATAT, and
Nagar Van Yojana, as well as resources of State Govts. / UT administrations, Municipal
Corporations and other developmental authorities.
The AQI in the country is generated through Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
Stations (CAAQMS) which are equipped with state of art reference-grade systems, delivering
continuous and near real-time data. The real-time measurements from these systems are also
indispensable being accurate and scientifically robust air-quality data for Air Quality Index
(AQI) reporting. These monitoring systems provide accurate, traceable, and reliable data,
which is essential for compliance assessment under the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS), for scientifically credible trend analysis and for regulatory purposes.
At present, air quality data generation using any technology other than the specified in National
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), 2009 is not used for regulatory purpose as its
accuracy, linearity, reliability, and long-term performance are not yet fully established.
Therefore, the data from these sensors may have a degree of error/uncertainty.
Concerned State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees install Monitoring
Stations to collect ambient air quality, in line with the criteria issued by the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB). At present, ambient air quality monitoring is carried out by Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)/Pollution Control
Committees (PCCs) in 583 cities across the country. Ambient air quality data collected or
authenticated by CPCB and SPCB/PCC is only recognised and disseminated to public.
Total 1597 air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS and NAMP stations) are present across
583 cities, under which, 562 are Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations
(CAAQMS) and 1035 are Manual stations.
Presently Air Quality Index (AQI) is disseminated on real-time basis in more than 250 cities.
A centralised air quality portal and mobile app-SAMEER is functional for tracking and
dissemination of near real time air quality data and hourly Air Quality Index to the public.
CPCB issues a daily bulletin at 04:00 PM comprising AQI of various cities in the country.
SAMEER app also serves as a grievance reddressal mechanism which allows the citizens to
report pollution related complaints for quick resolution by the concerned agencies. Further, air
quality monitoring data is also made available by respective SPCBs/PCCs on their websites.Annexure-I
Details of State-wise allocation, release and Utilisation of funds under NCAP for FY 2019-20
to 2025-26
(Rs. in crore)
S. no. State Allocation Released Utilisation
1 Andhra Pradesh 734.9 407.25 215.84
2 Assam 156.52 108.72 64.26
3 Bihar 870.13 380.17 291.95
4 Chandigarh 55.2 43.37 31.17
5 Chhattisgarh 427.74 302.95 201.04
6 Delhi 103.3 81.36 14.1
7 Gujarat 1533 1282.98 1065.42
8 Haryana 182 107.14 49.87
9 Himachal Pradesh 29.43 22.84 16.93
Jammu &
10 278.14 188 58.53
Kashmir
11 Jharkhand 604 279.44 184.52
12 Karnataka 1210.6 625.93 472.39
13 Madhya Pradesh 1234.52 834.65 659.42
14 Maharashtra 3334.03 1794.85 1439.68
15 Meghalaya 12.16 12.16 6.41
16 Nagaland 31.13 31.13 18.34
17 Odisha 195.8 107.54 77.07
18 Punjab 542.7 351.69 234.9
19 Rajasthan 1151.17 687.45 589.08
20 Tamilnadu 903.7 655.15 550.46
21 Telangana 906.05 739.67 529.67
22 Uttar Pradesh 3799.3 2941.16 2245.78
23 Uttrakhand 148.4 102.97 65.38
24 West Bengal 1685.24 1326.87 920.64
Total 20129.16 13415.43 10002.85