National Clean Air Programme Impact on PM2.5 Levels: Parliamentary Q&A
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change provided a written reply in Rajya Sabha on July 23, 2026, detailing the impact of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on PM2.5 levels. The data shows significant improvements in air quality across 130 cities, with many achieving national standards.
Background
Launched in 2019, NCAP is a multi-sectoral initiative to combat air pollution in mission mode across 130 Indian cities. It focuses on source-specific mitigation through city, state, and national action plans, monitored by committees at various levels.
Key facts
NCAP covers 130 cities including Pune, Surat, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.
From FY 2019-20 to 2025-26, ₹16,423.56 crore was released as performance-based incentive grants to target cities.
In 2025-26, 108 out of 130 cities showed a reduction in annual PM10 concentration compared to 2017-18.
72 cities achieved >20% reduction in PM10, and 26 cities achieved >40% reduction.
14 cities met the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM10 (≤60 µg/m³) in 2025-26, up from 6 in 2017-18.
65 cities met the NAAQS for PM2.5 (≤40 µg/m³) in 2025-26.
PM2.5 levels in 2025-26: Pune 41, Hyderabad 34, Surat 32, Delhi 102, Mumbai 33 µg/m³.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established under the CAQM Act, 2021 for Delhi-NCR.
Direct comparison of pollution levels across countries is not feasible due to geographic and meteorological differences.
Prelims pointers
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched in 2019.
- NCAP covers 130 cities.
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10: ≤60 µg/m³; PM2.5: ≤40 µg/m³.
- Air Quality Index (AQI) launched in 2015.
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) established under CAQM Act, 2021 for Delhi-NCR.
- 12 air pollutants notified under NAAQS including PM10 and PM2.5.
- ₹16,423.56 crore released under NCAP from 2019-20 to 2025-26.
Mains angles
- Evaluate the effectiveness of NCAP in reducing air pollution in Indian cities.
- Discuss the challenges in comparing air pollution levels across countries.
- Analyze the role of multi-sectoral coordination in implementing air quality action plans.
- Examine the significance of performance-based funding in achieving environmental targets.