India’s top 10 cities with the best and worst AQI in 2025

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature in Delhi dropped to 9.6 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am, with forecasts predicting a low of 6 degrees Celsius and a high of around 20 degrees Celsius for the day, accompanied by “very dense fog.”

In response to these worsening conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat pollution.

Restrictions under GRAP III entail a hybrid model of classes for up to Class V in schools, a ban on the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles, and a ban on all demolition works and mining activities in the National Capital Region. (file)

Notably, these restrictions come after the recent suspension of similar measures last Sunday, which prohibited nonessential construction activities.

Last year, in 2024, the average AQI gradation showed the best “Good to Moderate” and least “Poor to Severe” days and saw a record low level of farm burnings during the paddy harvesting season, with 10,909 in Punjab, 1,406 in Haryana, and 12,750 in UP, Rajasthan, and NCT Delhi. (Source: PIB)

While air quality remains a critical environmental challenge in India, with significant variations across different cities, evaluating cities across India highlights the stark contrast between them; here are the top 10 most and least polluted urban centres in India. 2025.

Top 10 cities in India with the cleanest air and best AQI in 2025

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) data for cities across India as of January 9, 2025, at 4 PM, reflecting the average air quality over the past 24 hours.

This table highlights the cities that are currently experiencing the best and cleanest air quality.

Top 10 cities in India with the most polluted air and worst AQI in 2025

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) data for cities across India as of January 9, 2025, at 4 PM, reflecting the average air quality over the past 24 hours.

This table highlights the cities that are currently experiencing the worst and most polluted air quality.

Rank	City	State	AQI	Prominent Pollutant
1	Delhi	Delhi	357	PM2.5
2	Ghaziabad	Uttar Pradesh	332	PM2.5
3	Byrnihat	Meghalaya	303	PM2.5
4	Chandigarh	Chandigarh	302	PM2.5
5	Hapur	Uttar Pradesh	287	PM2.5
6	Dhanbad	Jharkhand	277	PM10
7	Baddi	Himachal Pradesh	276	PM2.5
8	Greater Noida	Uttar Pradesh	270	PM2.5
9	Kunjemura	Maharashtra	269	PM10
10	Noida	Uttar Pradesh	259	PM2.5

Please note: PM2.5, being finer, penetrates deeper into the lungs and bloodstream, posing higher health risks, while PM10 is larger and stays in the upper respiratory tract. Lower PM2.5 levels are prioritized for better air quality.

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Health statements for AQI categories according to CPCB:

The health statements for AQI categories (category, ranges and their associated health risk) by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

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