**Executive Summary**
This document details the steps taken by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to address health issues arising due to air pollution. These steps include constituting a Technical Expert Group, implementing the National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) since 2019, and other initiatives. This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare on February 10, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
*Technical Expert Group:*
* A Technical Expert Group has been formed under the Director General of Health Services to provide guidance and recommendations on technical issues related to COPD & Asthma.
*National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH):*
* The Government of India has been implementing the NPCCHH since 2019, aimed at awareness, capacity building, preparedness, and partnerships related to climate-sensitive health issues.
* NPCCHH has developed a Health Adaptation Plan for diseases due to Air Pollution, focusing on institutional mechanisms at various levels. States/UTs are advised to utilize these guidelines.
* The government has developed State Action Plans on Climate Change & Human Health for all 36 States/UTs. These plans include a dedicated chapter on air pollution interventions.
*Public Health and Awareness Initiatives:*
* The Government issues Public Health advisories to States/UTs with suggestions to reduce the impact of Air Pollution.
* Nationwide Public Awareness Campaigns are organized annually for World Environment Day (June), International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (September), and National Pollution Control Day (December).
* Dedicated training modules have been developed in Air Pollution for Programme Managers, Medical Officers & Nurses, Nodal Officers Sentinel sites, Frontline workers, and vulnerable groups.
* IEC materials, including customized materials, have been developed in English, Hindi, and regional languages for various vulnerable groups.
*Capacity Building and Monitoring:*
* National Level Capacity Building workshops are conducted annually to prepare Master Trainers on air pollution-related illnesses and surveillance.
* An early warning system/Alerts for Air Pollution and Air Quality forecasts are disseminated from the Indian Meteorological Department to States and Indian Cities.
*Other Initiatives:*
* Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) promotes the use of LPG as a clean cooking fuel.
* Swachh Bharat Mission promotes cleanliness of streets, roads, and infrastructure.
* The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the National Clean Air Program in 2019.
**Impact Analysis**
*Stakeholder: States/Union Territories (UTs)*
**Impact:**
* Expected to utilize the Health Adaptation Plan guidelines developed by NPCCHH for planning and responses to air pollution.
* Required to implement State Action Plans on Climate Change & Human Health, including dedicated air pollution intervention strategies.
* Should implement Public Health advisories issued by the Government to reduce the impact of Air Pollution.
**Action Required:**
* Utilize the Health Adaptation Plan guidelines for planning and responses related to air pollution.
* Implement State Action Plans on Climate Change & Human Health, focusing on air pollution.
* Disseminate and act upon Public Health advisories related to air pollution.
*Stakeholder: Health Sector Professionals & Frontline Workers*
**Impact:**
* Will participate in dedicated training modules on air pollution management.
**Action Required:**
* Attend and utilize the dedicated training modules on air pollution.
*Stakeholder: General Public, including vulnerable groups*
**Impact:**
* Will benefit from public awareness campaigns and access to IEC materials.
* Vulnerable populations, including women and children, will benefit from targeted initiatives and awareness programs.
**Action Required:**
* Participate in public awareness campaigns.
* Utilize IEC materials to improve understanding and reduce air pollution impact.
Key Entities Referenced
National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH): A Government of India initiative to create awareness, capacity building, and preparedness related to climate-sensitive health issues.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The primary ministry responsible for health-related policies and programs, including addressing health issues related to air pollution.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): A scheme aimed at providing clean cooking fuel (LPG) to women and children to safeguard their health.
National Clean Air Programme: A national-level strategy launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2019 to reduce air pollution levels across the country.
Swachh Bharat Mission: An initiative that promotes cleanliness in cities, towns, and rural areas, with Swachh Hawa (Clean Air) as an integral component.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Steps taken to Address Health Issues Arising due
to Air Pollution
Technical Expert Group constituted under the
chairpersonship of Director General of Health Services to
provide specialized expert guidance and recommendations
on specific technical issues pertaining to COPD & Asthma
Government of India is implementing the National
Programme for Climate Change and Human Health with the
objective to create awareness, capacity building, health
sector preparedness and response and partnerships related
activities on the climate sensitive health issues in the country
since 2019
Posted On: 10 FEB 2026 1:48PM by PIB Delhi
Air pollution is one of the aggravating factors for respiratory ailments and associated diseases, however,
there are no conclusive data available to establish direct correlation of disease exclusively due to air
pollution. Health effects of air pollution are synergistic manifestation of factors which include food habits,
occupational habits, socioeconomic status, medical history, immunity and heredity etc. of the individuals.
A Technical Expert Group has been constituted under the chairpersonship of Director General of
Directorate General of Health Services to provide specialized expert guidance and recommendations on
specific technical issues pertaining to Chronic Respiratory Diseases (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disea
se (COPD) & Asthma).
Government of India has taken several steps to address air pollution issues which are at Annexure.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written
reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
*****
Annexure
Government of India has taken several steps to address air pollution issues across the country. These
include:1. Implementation of National Programme for Climate Change and
Human Health (NPCCHH) with the objective to create awareness, capacity building, health sector
preparedness and response and partnerships related activities on the climate sensitive health issues in the
country since 2019;
I. NPCCHH, MoHFW has developed the Health Adaptation Plan for diseases due to Air Pollution
which illustrates focusing the institutional structural and functional mechanisms at various levels in
the state. The States/UTs utilise the guidelines undertaking health related planning and responses on
air pollution related matters in the state. The link for the Health adaptation plan is as below:
https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1.Health-Adaptation-Plan-for-Disease-Due-to-Air-
Pollutios-2021.pdf
II. Government has developed State Action Plan on Climate Change & Human Health for all 36
State/UTs. This State specific action plan contains dedicated chapter on Air Pollution which
suggests interventions to reduce the impact.
III. The Government issues Public Health advisories to State/UTs suggesting ways to reduce the impact of
Air Pollution.
IV. Nationwide Public Awareness Campaigns are organized in coordination with States annually for World
Environment Day (June), International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (September) and National Pollution
Control Day (December).
V. Dedicated training modules have been developed in area of Air Pollution for Programme Managers,
Medical Officers & Nurses, Nodal Officers Sentinel sites, Frontline workers like ASHA, vulnerable
groups like women & Children, occupationally exposed groups like Traffic Police, Municipal
worker
VI. IEC materials have been developed targeting Air Pollution related illnesses in both English, Hindi and
also regional languages. NPCCHH has also developed customized IEC materials targeting various
vulnerable groups such as School Children, Women, Occupational vulnerable groups like Municipality
workers, etc.
VII. Series of National Level Capacity Building workshops have been conducted annually to prepare
Master Trainers (State level Trainers) who can cascade down the training at State/District level in
the areas of Air pollution related illnesses and Surveillance. NPCCHH also supported various State
Level Trainings to build capacity of District Nodal Officer on the domain areas of Air pollution
VIII. Early warning system/Alerts for Air Pollution as well as Air Quality forecasts are disseminated from
Indian Meteorological Department to States and Indian Cities to prepare the Health sector as well as
Community including vulnerable population.
2. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women
& children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).
3. Swachh Bharat Mission promotes to clean up streets, roads and infrastructure of India's cities,
smaller towns, and rural areas. Swachh Hawa is an integral component of Swachh Bharat.
4. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched National Clean Air program in
2019 as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country.
*****
SR
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