Clean Air · NCAP

In January 2016, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways decided to move directly from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms by 1 April 2020, skipping BS-V; the Auto Fuel Policy had recommended BS-VI by 2024. BS-VI norms applied in Delhi from April 2018 and in the rest of the country from 1 April 2020. The National Clean Air Programme followed in January 2019 as a national strategy for urban air quality, with an initial target of a 20-30% cut in PM10 by 2024-25 against 2017-18. The target was later revised to a reduction of up to 40%, or meeting the national PM10 standard of 60 µg/m³, by 2025-26.

In FY 2025-26, 108 of 130 NCAP cities recorded lower annual PM10 than in 2017-18, up from 95 (of 131 cities then covered) in FY 2023-24 and 103 in FY 2024-25. Of these, 72 cities recorded reductions of more than 20% and 26 of more than 40%. 14 cities met the national PM10 standard in FY 2025-26, compared with six in 2017-18, and 65 cities met the PM2.5 standard. The figures were given in a Rajya Sabha reply on 23 July 2026.

Each city prepares a Clean Air Action Plan aimed at its main sources, such as road dust, vehicles, waste burning and construction. Grants are linked to air-quality performance: 48 million-plus cities are funded through the XV Finance Commission Million-Plus City Challenge Fund and the other 82 through MoEFCC's Control of Pollution scheme. Source-apportionment studies under NCAP found that road and construction dust contributes around 40-50% of PM10 in most cities, so cities prioritise road paving, dust control and greening. Progress is tracked on the PRANA portal (Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in Non-Attainment cities), which records physical and financial progress. The annual Swachh Vayu Survekshan, launched in 2022-23, ranks cities in three population groups on the actions they take.

The programme's target year was 2025-26; in that year 26 cities recorded PM10 reductions above 40% and 14 met the PM10 standard. Cities have reported using ₹11,575.54 crore, or 70.5%, of the grants provided (September 2026). Swachh Vayu Survekshan has been extended to the ward level and carried out in more than 7,400 wards to encourage local action. In Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management has directed that only BS-VI, CNG or electric public transport buses, including tourist buses, enter Delhi from 1 November 2026.

108 of 130 cities with lower PM10 than 2017-18 (FY 2025-26). 72 cities down more than 20%; 26 down more than 40%. 6 → 14 cities meeting the PM10 standard (2017-18 → FY 2025-26). ₹16,423.56 crore in performance-linked grants (FY 2019-20 to 2025-26). 50 → 10 ppm sulphur cap with BS-VI fuel (1 April 2020). Sources: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Rajya Sabha replies), Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, via PIB.