PM2.5 levels in urban and rural areas in India 2017-2022, by region
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in India varies greatly by region, with the North consistently the most polluted region, and the south the least polluted region. In 2022, annual PM2.5 levels in Northern India averaged around 60 μg/m³ in both urban and rural areas. This is more than 10 times above World Health Organization air quality guidelines. The most polluted states in India in 2023 were Delhi and Haryana, both of which are located in the north of the country.