As winter smog enveloped northern India, Ghaziabad emerged as the most polluted city in the National Capital Region (NCR) during November 2025. A report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed alarming PM2.5 levels of 224 µg/m³, significantly surpassing safe limits. This evidence underscores the persistent public health challenges posed by winter air pollution in the NCR, despite a reported decline in stubble burning incidents compared to previous years.
These cities consistently exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), with hazardous air quality levels recorded throughout the month.
In November 2025, 20 out of 29 cities in the NCR reported higher PM2.5 levels compared to the same month in 2024. Ghaziabad's average PM2.5 concentration of 224 µg/m³ made it the most polluted city in India. Other NCR cities such as Faridabad, Noida, and Bhiwadi also showed extremely poor air quality indicators. This rise in pollution occurred despite a decrease in contributions from farm fires, indicating that urban emissions, traffic, construction dust, and adverse weather conditions remain significant contributors.
CREA's analysis across 29 NCR cities indicated that:
Nationwide, the following states reported alarming levels of PM2.5:
This data reflects a widespread and chronic air pollution crisis across central and northern India.
Conversely, Shillong in Meghalaya was recognized as India's cleanest city, with a PM2.5 level of just 7 µg/m³. Other clean cities included six in Karnataka and one each in Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. These regions benefit from favorable geography, dense vegetation, and minimal industrial activity.
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. It is one of the most harmful pollutants, as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can lead to:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a safe limit for PM2.5 at 15 µg/m³ (annual) and 25 µg/m³ (24-hour average). Ghaziabad's reading of 224 µg/m³ is nearly nine times the safe 24-hour limit.
Every year, air quality in North India deteriorates with the arrival of winter due to:
Although incidents of farm fires reportedly declined, inadequate policy enforcement on urban pollution sources has kept pollution levels dangerously high.
With numerous NCR cities continuing to exhibit hazardous air quality levels, there is an urgent need for:
This data highlights the critical need to strengthen the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and promote coordination among the Centre, States, and local urban bodies.
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