The 2025 IQAir World Air Quality Report ranks India sixth globally for PM2.5 pollution, behind Pakistan (1st) and Bangladesh (2nd).
But this is not really the time for regional ego battles. Indians' exposure to PM2.5 particles was nearly 10 times WHO’s recommended limit.
India's average PM2.5 levels did fall 3% from 2024, but IQAir's scientist told The Wire the change was likely due to weather patterns like La Niña rather than a structural improvement.
What's in it for you?
Pollution is fatal: Long-term exposure to air pollution leads to over 1.5 million deaths per year in India, as per reports.
Heatwave could worsen pollution: While winters are known for extreme smog, summer heat is also dangerous, even if you can't see it. Vehicle emissions and heat interact and produce ground-level ozone.
The fixes are known — cleaner vehicles, less crop burning, phasing out coal - but implementation has been week.
Until meaningful progress is made, the only practical steps are: air purifiers at home, masks when outside, and checking real-time AQI regularly.
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