NCAP: Industry Compliance, Clean Fuel Adoption, Air Quality Improvement
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply about the progress of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The reply highlighted that 11,108 industries in NCAP cities have adopted clean fuels, and 108 cities recorded a reduction in annual PM10 concentration compared to 2017-18.
Background
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in 2019 as a national-level strategy to reduce air pollution in 130 non-attainment and million-plus cities. It aims to achieve a 20-30% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024, with a revised target of 40% reduction by 2026. The programme involves city-specific action plans targeting various pollution sources.
Key facts
Under NCAP, city-specific clean air action plans have been prepared for 130 cities, targeting sources like soil and road dust, vehicle emissions, waste burning, construction, and greening activities.
State action plans under NCAP include measures such as policies for approved fuel use, promotion of clean technologies, laying gas distribution networks, and switching to clean fuels (CNG/PNG/CBG) in industries.
Industrial pollution control is enforced through the 'consent mechanism' under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, monitored by CPCB and SPCBs/PCCs.
As per reports from Urban Local Bodies, 11,108 industries in NCAP cities have adopted clean fuels like natural gas, PNG/LNG, LPG, and biogas.
From FY 2019-20 to 2025-26, Rs. 16,423.55 crore was provided to 130 cities as air quality performance-linked grants through the 15th Finance Commission Million-Plus Cities Challenge Fund and the central sector scheme 'Pollution Control'.
Cities have reported utilization of Rs. 11,575.54 crore (70.5%) on the PRANA portal.
During 2025-26, compared to 2017-18, 108 cities recorded a reduction in annual PM10 concentration; 72 cities achieved >20% reduction, and 26 cities achieved >40% reduction.
In FY 2025-26, 14 cities met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, compared to 6 cities in 2017-18.
In calendar year 2025, 73 cities recorded a reduction in annual PM2.5 concentration compared to 2024; 17 cities achieved >20% reduction.
Monitoring committees at district/city, state, and central levels oversee implementation of city and state action plans under NCAP.
Prelims pointers
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)
- PRANA portal
- 15th Finance Commission Million-Plus Cities Challenge Fund
- PM10 and PM2.5
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
- CNG/PNG/CBG
Mains angles
- Evaluate the effectiveness of NCAP in reducing industrial air pollution and improving air quality in Indian cities.
- Discuss the role of regulatory mechanisms (consent mechanism, CPCB, SPCBs) in enforcing industrial pollution norms.
- Analyze the challenges in achieving clean fuel adoption by industries and the impact of financial incentives under NCAP.
- Examine the institutional framework for monitoring and implementation of city-specific clean air action plans.