List Of 13 Most Polluted Cities In India by Air Quality Index (2025)

India's air quality is worsening in many cities. In many Indian metropolitan cities, air pollution is a growing problem. Many cities, such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, are struggling with poor air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) helps us understand how clean or polluted the air is. Some cities have air that's safe to breathe. Others have air that can harm your health. Currently, Pune, Maharashtra, has the cleanest air in India. Its AQI is 52, which is considered satisfactory. However, do you know which city in India is the most polluted today? In this article, we'll take a look at the Indian cities with the worst air quality. We'll also explore what AQI means and why it matters.

List of Most Polluted Cities In India by Air Quality Index

According to the real-time data from the Air Quality Index, the most polluted city in India is Nagli Bahrampur, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 281. This AQI of 281 places Nagli Bahrampur firmly in the severe air quality status. It indicates a critical level of air pollution that poses an extreme health risk to the entire population.

1. Nagli Bahrampur (AQI 281, Severe)

Nagli Bahrampur is ranked as the most polluted city in this data. Its Air Quality Index (AQI) is alarmingly high at 281. This places the city firmly in the Severe air quality status. Air quality at this level is dangerous for all residents. It carries serious and immediate health risks. The extreme AQI shows that the concentration of harmful pollutants, especially fine particulate matter, is excessive.

2. Jaspur (AQI 261, Severe)

Jaspur ranks second for the worst air quality in India. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) is recorded at 261. This high measurement classifies Jaspur's air quality as Severe. Air in the Severe category is a significant health hazard to everyone who breathes it. The pollutant levels are dangerously elevated, impacting both respiratory and cardiovascular health. High AQI values, such as 261, result from a mix of local industrial activity, vehicular emissions, and unfavourable weather conditions.

3. Nainital (AQI 220, Severe)

Nainital, a popular hill town, is also struggling with severe pollution levels. Its Air Quality Index (AQI) is registered at 220. This high level of numerical data places the city in the Severe air quality category. Pollution at the 220 mark is a major public health issue, exceeding safe limits by a significant margin. The air contains dangerously high levels of airborne particulate matter. Even healthy individuals will experience serious respiratory effects from this exposure.

4. Greater Noida (AQI 216, Severe)

Greater Noida, a critical city in the National Capital Region (NCR), reports a very dangerous AQI of 216. This places the city in the Severe air quality status category. This classification means the pollutant concentration is exceptionally high. It poses an immediate, serious health emergency for all residents. The primary causes are often heavy vehicle traffic, large-scale construction activity, and regional industrial output.

5. Moradabad (AQI 210, Severe)

Moradabad has an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 210, ranking it among the most polluted cities. This numerical figure places the city's air quality in the Severe category. Air with a Severe status is highly detrimental to human health. It significantly increases the long-term risk of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems. Moradabad's pollution is often linked to localised industrial activities, high vehicle density, and waste burning.

6. Amritsar (AQI 210, Severe)

Amritsar, a major urban centre in Punjab, records a highly toxic Air Quality Index (AQI) of 210. This figure matches Moradabad's and also places Amritsar into the Severe air quality status. This is a critical air pollution level for the city. It indicates widespread, dense layers of pollutants trapped in the atmosphere. The 210 AQI is concerning because air pollution from seasonal factors, such as crop residue burning, often combines with local sources.

7. Khurja (AQI 208, Severe)

Khurja's pollution levels are critically high, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 208. This reading is classified under the Severe air quality status. An AQI of 208 means the air is highly hazardous to public health. The city's inclusion highlights that severe pollution is prevalent beyond just the major metropolises. Localised factors, including small-scale industries, brick kiln emissions, and dust from poor infrastructure, are likely to contribute heavily.

8. Noida (AQI 208, Severe)

Noida, another significant component of the Delhi-NCR, reports an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 208. This data places the city's air quality in the Severe category. This high number is dangerous for all residents, particularly those with existing respiratory health conditions. The pollution is a direct result of rapid, unchecked urbanisation, high vehicle traffic volumes, and industrial emissions common to the NCR region. 

9. Rampur (AQI 207, Severe)

Rampur is listed among India's top polluted cities with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 207. This numerical data indicates that the city's air quality falls into the Severe category. A 207 AQI indicates inferior air quality that severely affects public well-being. Long-term exposure to this high level of pollution can lead to chronic and irreversible lung diseases.

10. Palwal (AQI 206, Severe)

Palwal's Air Quality Index (AQI) is 206, placing it among the top 10 most polluted cities. This high reading puts the city in the Severe air quality status. An AQI of 206 is highly hazardous and can cause serious, immediate health complications. As a city adjacent to the Delhi-NCR, Palwal suffers from both its own local pollution sources and regional wind-blown contamination.

Which Is The No. 1 Polluted Country In The World?

Based on recent annual reports from IQAir, Bangladesh is frequently identified as the country with the worst average air quality globally. This ranking is based on the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the air throughout the year. Factors contributing to this include dense population, large-scale brick kilns, a growing industrial sector, and high vehicular emissions.

Is AQI better in Delhi or Bangalore?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is consistently lower in Bangalore than in Delhi. Delhi frequently records AQI readings in the 'Very Poor' (301-400) to 'Severe' (401-500) categories, particularly during the winter months. In contrast, Bangalore's AQI typically remains in the 'Satisfactory' (51-100) to 'Moderate' (101-200) range.

Which Is The Dirtiest City In India In 2025?

While air pollution rankings are dynamic and change daily, Delhi often holds the unfortunate distinction of having the worst air quality, especially during the post-monsoon and winter seasons. For example, during October 2025, Delhi's AQI repeatedly plunged into the 'Very Poor' and 'Severe' categories. However, according to the current AQI list, Nagli Bahrampur is categorised as the most polluted city in India with an AQI of 281.

Which Are The Top 10 Most Polluted Cities In India?

The top 10 list of India's most polluted cities constantly changes, but they are consistently concentrated in the northern plains. Cities from the National Capital Region (NCR) and the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar dominate the rankings. Recent pollution snapshots often include Delhi, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Hapur, and Faridabad.

What Are The Top 10 Most Polluted Cities In The World?

The world's top 10 most polluted cities are overwhelmingly located in South Asia. Recent real-time rankings show a clear dominance of India and Pakistan. Cities like Lahore (Pakistan) and India's Delhi often compete for the worst spot. The list frequently features a large cluster of cities from the Indo-Gangetic Plain, including Indian cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata, as well as cities from neighbouring countries.