Archive · 20 Aug 2025
Experts Recommend NCAP 2.0 Changes: Focus on Rural Areas and PM 2.5
A group of experts wants to make a plan to clean the air in India better.
This plan, called NCAP, currently focuses on big cities, but they want to include smaller towns and the countryside too.
They want to pay special attention to tiny bits of pollution called PM2.5.
The experts also want to make sure the plan is working well, by measuring actual pollution reduction, not just counting good air days.
They suggest setting clear goals for reducing pollution from different sources, like cars and factories.
To make sure everyone knows what's going on, they want more checks on the air quality monitors and more information available to the public.
Experts advocate for a more comprehensive National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) 2.0 to tackle air pollution.
The white paper suggests expanding the program's scope to rural and peri-urban areas.
Recommendations include focusing on PM2.5 and implementing stricter emission reduction targets.
The paper calls for enhanced air quality monitoring, including independent audits.
It proposes a state-led hybrid model and a national emissions inventory to improve effectiveness.
- Who
- Experts from various organizations, think tanks, and environmental groups.
- What
- Experts propose improvements to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) 2.0 to address air pollution more effectively.
- When
- The recommendations are for the upcoming NCAP 2.0.
- Where
- Across India, with a focus on urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
- Why
- To widen the scope of the program, strengthen monitoring, and enhance accountability.
Expert Recommendations
Status Quo
Air Quality Standards
Expert Recommendations
Implement stricter PM 2.5 standards for different regions to meet national air quality standards.
Status Quo
Current standards are sufficient.
Performance Evaluation Metrics
Expert Recommendations
Use a composite set of indicators, including PM2.5, for performance evaluation.
Status Quo
Rely on outcome-only metrics, such as the number of good air quality days.
- NCAP Launch Year
- 2019
- Target Pollution Reduction (Initial)
- 20-30% by 2024
- Target Pollution Reduction (Revised)
- 40% by 2026
- Base Year (Revised)
- 2019-20
- Monitoring Stations
- 560+
