40 Indian Cities Among World’s Most Polluted, Delhi Surprises With Air Quality Rank
Despite severe air pollution in Delhi, it surprisingly does not rank in the world's top 10 most polluted cities, reflecting extreme air quality woes across India. Over 40 Indian cities feature among the world’s most polluted, with other northern cities facing devastating AQI levels. Delhi’s air quality remains ‘severe,’ though its relative position has improved compared to previous years.
The article reports that, as of November 2025, 40 Indian cities are listed among the world’s most polluted, with northern India choking under dangerously high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. Notably, Delhi, often considered the epicenter of India’s air pollution crisis, is not in the global top 10 for worst air quality this year, though its air remains ‘severe’ by Indian standards. This indicates that while Delhi’s pollution is still critical, it is currently surpassed by other Indian cities with even worse AQI readings. The persistence of high pollution across northern India highlights a widespread environmental and public health crisis. The data underscores ongoing challenges in air quality management and the urgent need for interventions in multiple urban centers beyond the capital.
