New Delhi: Out on a morning walk and feeling the chill? Well, October month is here, and with this, the return of pollution! There has been a rapid decline in the air quality in India. The annual crop stubble burning and the emissions from vehicles, construction and factories have led to a significant deterioration of the Air Quality Index (AQI) across the country.
Delhi’s air quality is still in the ‘very poor’ category on October 24, 2024, with AQI above 300 (till 4 pm), as highlighted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
In this article, we will find the list of the top 10 cities in India with ‘very poor’ or ‘poor’ air quality.
List of Indian cities that are the most polluted right now
| Rank | City | State | AQI Value | AQI Category | Prominent Pollutant |
| 1 | Delhi | Delhi | 306 | Very Poor | PM10 |
| 2 | Meerut | Uttar Pradesh | 293 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 3 | Ghaziabad | Uttar Pradesh | 272 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 4 | Baghpat | Uttar Pradesh | 275 | Poor | PM10 |
| 5 | Bhiwani | Haryana | 266 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 6 | Jind | Haryana | 261 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 6 | Hapur | Uttar Pradesh | 261 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 7 | Charkhi Dadri | Haryana | 260 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 7 | Jhunjhunu | Rajasthan | 260 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 8 | Sikar | Rajasthan | 247 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 8 | Gurugram | Haryana | 239 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 9 | Bulandshahr | Uttar Pradesh | 235 | Poor | PM2.5 |
| 10 | Bhiwadi | Rajasthan | 234 | Poor | PM2.5 |
Source: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The data is available till 4 pm.
Full List
To check your city’s AQI, check the following list:
The Supreme Court of India says, “Living in a pollution-free environment is a fundamental right.” This comes on the day when north India is suffering from bad air quality. Delhi’s AQI on Wednesday was 364. According to the CPCB, readings below 50 are considered to be good.
Delhi ranks top on the list of most polluted cities in the country, and this alarming rise has led to the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II) in Delhi-NCR on Monday.
Meanwhile, neighbouring cities of Delhi
Noida has a moderate air quality.
Gurugram and Ghaziabad are in the ‘poor’ category.
According to World Air Quality Report, India is the third-most polluted country in the world in 2023. The country’s annual average PM2.5 concentrations have increased to 54.4 µg/m3, up from 53.3 µg/m3 in 2022.
