14 cities met air pollution standards in 2025-26 versus 6 in 2017-18

The question asked the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to state whether air pollution levels have exceeded standards, provide AQI details, and outline government steps to curb pollution, restore forests, and mitigate climate change.

Asked and answered by: Asked by Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor; Answered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav).

What the government said

• Launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for 130 non-attainment cities in 24 States/UTs.
• Released performance-based incentive grants of Rs 16,423.56 crore to 130 cities.
• Reported that 108 cities showed reductions in PM10 concentrations in 2025-26 compared to 2017-18.
• Stated that 14 cities met National Ambient Air Quality Standards in FY 2025-26, compared to 6 cities in 2017-18.
• Established the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for Delhi-NCR, which has issued 101 Statutory Directions and 17 Advisories.
• Mandated 17 categories of highly polluting industries to install Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS).
• Launched Nagar Van Yojana to develop 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikas during 2020-21 to 2026-27.
• Allocated Rs 1,076.34 Crore to 18 States/UTs under the Green India Mission for plantation over 1,84,467 hectares.
• Approved Rs 6,769.25 crore for compensatory afforestation and regeneration activities in the last five years under CAMPA.
• Implemented the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) comprising nine National Missions.

Also in the document

• The answer does not explicitly state 'yes' or 'no' to whether pollution levels have surpassed standards, but provides data showing 14 cities met standards in 2025-26 versus 6 in 2017-18.
• The specific AQI details requested for the last three years are provided in an Annexure (Annexure I) rather than in the main text of the answer.