Archive · 12 Dec 2025
India Rejects Global Air Rankings
The Indian government told the Rajya Sabha that global air quality rankings, like those from IQAir and the WHO, are not official.
These rankings are not done by any official authority and the WHO's guidelines are just suggestions, not rules.
The government said there are no official worldwide rankings for air pollution.
India sets its own air quality standards, which are tailored to the country's specific conditions.
The government also highlighted improvements in Delhi's air quality and a significant reduction in farm fires in Punjab and Haryana.
Additionally, India conducts its own annual ranking of cities based on air quality improvement measures.
Global air quality rankings are not official and not conducted by any official authority.
WHO's air quality guidelines are advisory and not binding.
No official country-wise pollution ranking is carried out worldwide.
India sets its own air quality standards, tailored to national conditions.
The government highlighted improvements in Delhi's air quality and a 90% reduction in farm fires in Punjab and Haryana.
- Who
- Indian Government
- What
- Statement on global air quality rankings
- When
- December 11
- Where
- Rajya Sabha, New Delhi
- Why
- To clarify India's position on global air quality indices
- Global Rankings
- Not official, conducted by various organizations
- WHO Guidelines
- Advisory values, not binding standards
- Official Rankings
- No official country-wise pollution ranking worldwide
- Organizations Mentioned
- IQAir, WHO, Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Global Burden of Disease (GBD)
- Government Statement
- India sets its own air quality standards
- National Standards
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 12 pollutants
- Swachh Vayu Survekshan
- Annual ranking of 130 cities under NCAP
- Delhi Air Quality Improvement
- Good to Moderate days increased from 110 (2016) to 200 (2025)
- Farm Fire Reduction
- 90% reduction in Punjab and Haryana (2025 vs 2022)
Sources
India sets its own air standards; global rankings not official: Govt
Government Dismisses External Climate Risk Rankings for Policymaking
India Sets Own Air Quality Standards, Global Rankings Not Official: Centre
India sets its own air standards; WHO air quality guidelines not binding standards: Government
Air quality: India sets own standards, WHO guidelines not binding, says Centre
No official global pollution ranking exists, India relies on its own air quality standards: Govt
'Need To Align Policy With Health-Based Science': Experts On Air Quality Standards
Global air quality rankings not official, India sets own standards: Govt
Global Air Quality Rankings Only For Guidance, India Sets Own Standards: Government
Why India Rejects Global Air Quality Rankings: Govt Clarifies in Parliament
