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Talking Point
It was a common complaint this year that air pollution was at an all-time high and that cities were indistinguishable, for all had the same haze cover. The outlook for 2026 is not too bright either. TreeTake takes a look at the year gone by.
Laxman Prasad, 68, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient in Lucknow, has been wheezing throughout the year, more so after Diwali. He cites the reason for his discomfiture as haze, smog or simply put, air pollution. On December 9, the AQI in Lucknow was 174, which was unhealthy, but it had skyrocketed during Diwali, and subsequent days were not much better.
Prasad’s case is not a lone one. There are scores of people all over India and across the globe, many of them with breathing problems, who battled for intakes of a lungful of clean air.
Air pollution in late 2025, particularly in parts of South Asia like India, has reached severe levels, with some data suggesting record highs in specific cities like Delhi during peak pollution periods. The beginning of 2026 is unlikely to offer immediate respite due to a combination of persistent emissions and unfavourable winter weather patterns.
India as a whole was ranked the most polluted country in the world in 2025 in one analysis, with an average AQI of 155, which is linked to millions of deaths annually. Atmospheric CO2 levels globally also reached record highs in 2025, indicating insufficient global mitigation efforts.
Air pollution is a big health hazard, as it causes or worsens respiratory issues (asthma, COPD, bronchitis), cardiovascular problems (heart attacks, strokes, disease), cancers (lung), and neurological conditions (dementia, cognitive decline), impacting all ages, especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions, leading to millions of premature deaths yearly. These tiny particles inflame organs, damage DNA, and enter the bloodstream, increasing risks for diabetes, reproductive issues, and immune disorders, with effects similar to smoking.
A leading pulmonologist in Lucknow, requesting anonymity, said: “Air pollution can affect almost every part in the human body. Fine particulate matter that enters through the airway ultimately reaches the bloodstream, and if the concentration is high, the result is inflammation and cell and tissue damage, leading to disease.”
However, Sanjeeb Singh of UPPCB said: “It is factually incorrect to say that air pollution is worse this year. Air pollution is a challenge every time in winter. Some major factors have been taken into account in this, in the past as well as presently, so right now, if I talk about Lucknow, then above 200 is generally considered bad. For four to five days, it has been above 200, but in the past, the number was higher. Besides, steps are taken to ensure mechanical road sweeping, using water sprinklers and smog guns and keeping a regular check on industries. People are also made aware not to burn biomass.”
As per reports, South Asia remains the global air pollution hotspot. Cities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, including Delhi, Greater Noida and Lucknow, are experiencing "severe" or "hazardous" air quality, far exceeding both national and World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
Retired senior forester Anuj Saxena, who returned from Canada in late November, said he fell ill due to air pollution as soon as he arrived. “From an AQI of 5 or 10 in Canada, I returned to a very high one. Had breathing problems, a cold and a cough and am on antibiotics. I am also using an air purifier in my room,” he said.
Worsening trends: October 2025 in New Delhi recorded the highest pollution levels for that month in the past three years, indicating a worsening trend during the onset of the winter season.
Factors responsible for high pollution
Seasonal conditions: The winter months in northern India are characterised by stable atmospheric conditions, low wind speeds and lower temperatures. Winter weather phenomena like temperature inversion and low wind speeds trap pollutants close to the ground, leading to the accumulation of toxic smog. While many areas have seen a continued challenge, the overall picture in 2025 is one of pronounced regional disparity rather than a universal all-time high, underscoring that while progress is possible, the global fight against air pollution remains a critical public health issue.
Year-round sources: While seasonal factors like stubble and waste burning contribute, year-round sources such as transport, industrial emissions and construction dust are now considered dominant drivers of the consistently high pollution levels.
Accumulation: Unlike previous years, the pollution accumulation in late 2025 intensified through October and November, resulting in sustained periods of "very unhealthy" to "hazardous" air quality.
Wildfires: Climate change is leading to stronger and longer wildfire seasons, which release massive amounts of microscopic smoke particles that can travel across the world, significantly impacting air quality in various regions.
Urbanisation and industrial activity: Rapid urbanisation, vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, construction dust and the use of solid fuels for cooking in developing nations remain primary sources of high PM2.5 levels.
Health emergency: The crisis has evolved into a year-round health emergency, not just a seasonal one, posing significant health risks, including respiratory diseases, heart attacks, and strokes. On December 6, over 80 Padma awardee doctors warned that India's air pollution crisis had turned into a full-blown public health emergency, causing widespread disease, genetic harm and nearly 1.7 million deaths every year.
Global context: While some areas of the world have seen improvements, global PM2.5 concentrations in 2023 were higher than in 2022, and air pollution remains the "greatest external threat to human life expectancy" globally.
2025 trends vs. previous years
Data analysis for October 2025 showed that average and peak Air Quality Index (AQI) values were higher than in 2023 and 2024, indicating a worsening trend in the affected regions. The persistent high pollution is not just a seasonal spike but part of a systemic issue, with an analysis revealing that nearly 60% of Indian districts are exposed to polluted air throughout the year.
Current air quality status
Delhi-NCR: The air quality in Delhi is consistently in the "very poor" to "severe" or "hazardous" categories. On December 6, 2025, the CPCB AQI was recorded at 330. November 2025 was identified as one of the most polluted months on record for the region, with all of India's 10 most polluted cities located in the NCR.
Mumbai: The air quality is generally in the "moderate" to "unhealthy" category, with a CPCB AQI of 156 recorded on December 7, 2025. Its coastal location generally aids in pollutant dispersion, leading to comparatively better air than Delhi.
Other cities: Cities in southern and northeastern India, such as Shillong, Madurai and Nashik, have reported much cleaner air, often in the "good" or "satisfactory" range, highlighting a significant regional disparity in pollution.
Regional breakdown of 2025 air quality
South Asia: This region continues to be a global hotspot for air pollution, with India ranking as the most polluted country in 2025, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 155. Cities like Delhi and Kolkata consistently rank among the most polluted in the world, with local events, such as a severe spike in Delhi's AQI to 795 in November 2024, highlighting extreme localised conditions.
North America and Europe: While regulatory actions have generally reduced aerosol concentrations in these regions, they still experienced significant, temporary spikes in pollution during 2023 and 2024, largely due to severe wildfire seasons in places like Canada and the Iberian Peninsula, with smoke travelling across continents.
East Asia: China has made notable progress, securing a spot among the least polluted countries in 2025, with an average AQI of 17, due to massive investments in renewable energy and strict regulations.
Other regions: Countries like Senegal and Nepal continue to face serious air quality challenges, ranking highly on the list of most polluted nations in 2025. In contrast, nations such as Thailand and Norway are showcasing the possibility of clean air through better policies and cleaner energy.
Outlook for 2026
The outlook for the beginning of 2026 suggests the high pollution levels will likely persist through the winter months (December 2025 to February 2026), as meteorological conditions continue to favour the trapping of pollutants. Governments in affected regions, such as the Delhi-NCR area, have been directed to submit comprehensive action plans for 2026 to combat the crisis. However, these are long-term strategies, and immediate, significant improvements are not expected as the peak winter pollution period unfolds. As of late December 2025, India's pollution levels, particularly in the northern regions like Delhi-NCR, are extremely high and have been noted as the worst in three years for this time of year. However, air quality varies dramatically across the country, with many southern and northeastern cities experiencing much cleaner air.
Government efforts and perceptions in 2026
Proactive planning: The central government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) have shifted focus from seasonal emergency measures to preparing comprehensive, year-round air quality action plans for 2026.
Claimed successes: Official government data highlighted an increase in "good" air quality days in Delhi (200 days in 2025 compared to 110 in 2016) and a reduction in "very poor" or "severe" days compared to 2024, attributing this to initiatives like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), funding for cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and subsidies for managing crop residue.
Perceived shortcomings: Despite official claims of improvement, public sentiment and some reports suggest ongoing dissatisfaction and a feeling that government efforts are "falling short". The persistence of toxic smog, especially in urban centres during winter months, highlights the ongoing challenge in tackling complex, multi-source air pollution effectively.
To sum up, globally, pollution levels remain a significant concern, with particulate pollution identified as the "greatest external threat to human life expectancy" in 2023. In many parts of the world, a disturbing trend of general pollution degradation is continuing, often exacerbated by climate change impacts like more intense and longer wildfire seasons. Meanwhile, people are waiting with bated breath, hoping for a miracle which would make inhaling clean air not a privilege but a right.
North India suffers a breathless crisis
Brij Khandelwal, senior journalist and environmental activist
On December 1, 2025, the Supreme Court sharply criticised the “seasonal, ceremonial” approach to tackling Delhi-NCR’s toxic air crisis, emphasising that this was not merely a winter issue but a persistent public health emergency throughout the year. Led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, the court mandated fortnightly hearings for ongoing supervision, urged the Centre to overhaul its pollution-control strategies, and dismissed the blame on farmers alone—demanding real action against vehicles, industries, and all major polluters poisoning north India’s air. However, barely two weeks earlier, the court had taken a surprising U-turn.
On November 18, 2025, in the Credai vs Vanshakti (Review) case, a bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai partially overturned its own landmark Vanshakti judgment from just months before. What was declared “unconstitutional” and “environmentally destructive” in April 2025 was now permitted in November if the violation was “unintentional” or the project would have likely received clearance anyway. Post-facto environmental clearance—a practice once seen as undermining the precautionary principle—was suddenly legitimised.
The contradiction is stark. In Vanshakti, the court asserted that prior environmental clearance was fundamental to the Environment Protection Act and that retrospective approval undermined the environmental impact assessment's purpose. Yet, eight months later, the court ruled that violations could be regularised if deemed in the public interest and the polluter paid a fine. The clear message: pollute first, pay later, and the court will endorse it. Critics argue this is not judicial progress but capitulation disguised as pragmatism. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan’s lone, sharp dissent warned that allowing retrospective clearances would make the exception the rule, with project proponents treating prior approval as optional. He stressed that irreversible environmental damage happened regardless of intent, but his caution was overshadowed by rhetoric about “balancing development and environment.”
Meanwhile, a new threat looms over the Aravalis: plans to artificially lower hill heights to exclude eco-sensitive ranges from protective norms. By trimming summits or reclassifying slopes as “degraded,” developers and mining interests seek to bypass restrictions that forbid construction, extraction, and land-use changes in these fragile zones. This legal manipulation threatens to fragment wildlife corridors, worsen groundwater depletion, and accelerate desertification across Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi-NCR. If the Aravalis are diminished on both paper and in reality, North India will lose its last natural shield against dust storms and climate instability.
While the Supreme Court focused on granting “limited flexibility” to lawbreakers, North India suffocated. In late November 2025, Delhi’s Air Quality Index hit over 550 multiple times, Agra’s air was officially “severe-plus,” and the Yamuna behind the Taj Mahal bubbled with poisonous foam resembling snow. Dissolved oxygen levels plunged to zero in many areas, and faecal coliform counts soared into the millions. This same river has been subject to court interventions since 1996, when 292 polluting industries were shut down in the Taj Trapezium Zone to protect the marble of the Taj Mahal. Those measures brought temporary relief but have since unravelled; many shuttered units now operate under “temporary” permits that quietly became permanent. The National Green Tribunal fined over 500 illegal units in Agra-Mathura recently, yet over 70% still operate. Illegal sand mining along the Yamuna riverbed hit 1.5 lakh tonnes in 2025 alone. Pollution Control Boards are crippled by understaffing and political interference.
In short, regulatory enforcement has collapsed, yet the Supreme Court chose this moment to loosen the crucial legal deterrent against environmental violations: the bar on retrospective clearance. The court relies on monetary penalties, restoration orders, and "strict monitoring," but India’s environmental enforcement record makes these promises hollow. Penalties are often reduced on appeal, seldom fully collected and rarely reflect ecological losses or inflation. Restoration efforts remain largely symbolic, with compensatory afforestation projects existing only on paper. Once projects are built and jobs created, orders for demolition are almost never enforced, leaving violators confident that breaking the law is a manageable risk, not a crime.
The essence of modern environmental law, established by the Rio Declaration and affirmed repeatedly by Indian courts, is prevention. Once the focus shifts to cure-and-compensate, environmental loss is inevitable. Forests cut, rivers poisoned, aquifers dried, species lost—none can be restored by financial guarantees or court undertakings.
Meanwhile, ordinary citizens bear the cost. Delhi-NCR hospitals saw a 50% rise in respiratory emergencies in late November 2025, schools closed, construction bans were flagrantly ignored, and diesel generators hummed through the night. Stubble fires raged unabated in Punjab and Haryana. Despite Rs 8,500 crore spent on Namami Gange, the Yamuna remains biologically dead from Wazirabad to Etawah.
This is the ecological crisis unfolding as the Supreme Court grants violators a second chance if their intent was “pure”. Intent cannot cleanse a river, money cannot regrow shrinking forests, and judicial eloquence won’t filter toxic air from children’s lungs. India stands at a critical crossroads where its rivers die, air is poisoned, and forests shrink. If this path widens, the Taj Mahal will not only yellow and blacken; it may soon vanish behind toxic smog—an apt monument to a nation that legalised its own slow demise. The river behind it is already dead.
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