Most polluted cities based on PM2.5 concentration in India 2023

Begusarai was the most polluted city in India in 2023, with an average PM2.5 concentration of nearly 119 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m³). Guwahati had the second highest PM2.5 concentration in the South Asian country throughout the year, at above 105 μg/m³. Begusarai and Guwahati, both located in India's northeastern region, were also the top two most polluted cities worldwide in 2023.

Poor air quality across India

India was the third-most polluted country in the world in 2023, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 μg/m³. That same year, the country's capital New Delhi was also the most polluted capital city in the world. Vehicle exhaust and wood burning are some of the main sources of particulate air pollution in India, together with soil, road and construction dust .

Impacts of air pollution in India

The severe air pollution in India can have detrimental health impacts on the country's population. Fine particle pollutants penetrate deeply in the lungs, causing respiratory problems and can even result in premature death. In 2022, more than 96 percent of India's population was exposed to hazardous concentrations of air pollution.