Published: 28 March 2026IQAir / PR NewswireEnvironment
IQAir World Air Quality Report 2025: India Ranks 6th Most Polluted Country; Rajasthan Cities Among Top Polluted
The IQAir 2025 World Air Quality Report, released around March 2026, ranked India as the sixth most polluted country globally based on annual average PM2.5 concentration levels. India's national average PM2.5 stood at 48.9 µg/m³ — nearly 9.78 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ — placing it at an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 134, classified as 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.'
Only 14% of global cities met the WHO PM2.5 guideline, down from 17% the previous year. The 25 most polluted cities in the world were all concentrated in South Asia (India, Pakistan) and China, with India home to several of the top four most polluted cities.
The Thar Desert in Rajasthan is identified as a key contributor to regional air pollution, with dust storms from the desert affecting PM2.5 levels across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi throughout the year. Rajasthan cities including Bikaner, Kotputli, Jodhpur, and Jaipur periodically feature in India's most polluted city lists due to a combination of desert dust, vehicular emissions, and industrial activity.
The report underscores the urgency of strengthening India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) targets and accelerating the transition to cleaner fuels and electric vehicles, particularly in desert-adjacent urban centres.
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What was India's rank in the IQAir 2025 World Air Quality Report released around March 2026?
Explanation · Correct answer BThe IQAir 2025 report ranked India as the sixth most polluted country globally based on annual average PM2.5 concentration of 48.9 µg/m³.
Frequently asked questions
What is IQAir and what was India's ranking in its 2025 World Air Quality Report?
IQAir is a Swiss-based air quality technology company that publishes an annual World Air Quality Report measuring PM2.5 concentration across countries and cities. In the 2025 report (released March 2026), India ranked 6th most polluted country globally with an annual average PM2.5 of 48.9 µg/m³.
What is PM2.5 and why is it considered the most dangerous air pollutant for human health?
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature death. WHO recommends an annual average limit of 5 µg/m³; India's level of 48.9 µg/m³ is 9.78 times this limit.
Which Rajasthan cities appear in global pollution rankings and what causes elevated PM2.5 there?
Bhiwadi (in Alwar district) and Jaipur regularly appear among the most polluted cities globally. In addition, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaipur experience elevated PM2.5 due to dust storms and wind-blown sand from the Thar Desert, which is a major natural contributor to air pollution across western Rajasthan.
What percentage of world cities meet WHO air quality standards according to the IQAir 2025 report?
Only 14% of cities worldwide meet WHO air quality standards, according to the IQAir 2025 World Air Quality Report released in March 2026. This highlights that air pollution is a near-universal global crisis, not limited to developing nations.
What are the key government schemes and policies addressing air pollution in India and Rajasthan?
At the national level, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) targets a 40% reduction in PM10 concentration levels by 2026 (base year 2017). NCAP identifies 131 non-attainment cities required to submit city action plans. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) oversees pollution control in Delhi-NCR, which includes parts of Rajasthan's Alwar district.
