India Air Quality Alert

Is the air quality good in India?

On April 22, 2026, air quality in India remains poor, with some of the major cities experiencing air quality in the "unhealthy" to "very unhealthy" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.

By 10:00 AM IST (Indian Standard Time, GMT+5:30), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 300, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

While conditions remain poor, India’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 48.9 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 134, classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups". This level is nearly 9.78 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing India sixth globally in the 2025 World Air Quality Report.

Air quality map of India and neighboring countries as of April 22, 2026, according to IQAir.

Which cities are affected by bad air quality in India?

On April 22, 2026, several major cities across India are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:

Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see India's air quality map.

Delhi and Kolkata ranked among the most polluted cities globally, as of 10:00 AM (IST), April 22, 2026, according to IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in India?

Short-term improvements depend on favorable weather; winds, rain, and increased atmospheric mixing will help disperse pollutants. In spring (March-May), as temperatures increase, hot air rises and cooler air sinks, easing pollution. However, early spring may still have stagnant air, low winds, and high temperatures trapping pollutants like PM2.5.

Full relief comes with the monsoon season (June-September), which washes away pollutants and dramatically reduces PM2.5 levels, as seen in Kolkata where monsoon averages drop to 20-21 µg/m³ compared to winter highs of 77-80 µg/m³ (1). Lasting improvement requires policy action and seasonal controls. Without those, severe episodes are likely to recur (2).

What is causing poor air quality in India?

The root causes of air pollution in India include household emissions, power sector emissions, industrial activities, transportation, open burning of crops and waste, and dust, with household emissions contributing about 30-50% of ambient PM2.5 levels year-round (3).

In spring (March-May), pollution persists due to resuspended road dust from construction and urbanization, dust storms and resuspension of road dust in dry and semi-arid regions causing sudden PM10 spikes, high temperatures accompanied by little wind and stagnant air trapping particulate matter, and high density of pollens and allergens.

Residual effects from winter stubble burning and transboundary pollution from neighboring regions also contribute (4).