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New Delhi: India had significantly reduced particulate pollution levels by 19.3% in 2022 as compared with the levels in 2021 adding 51 days to the life expectancy of Indians. This was a good news. The “Air Quality Life Index Report 2024” by the Energy Policy Institute, University of Chicago had stated. Although it had also said that life expectancy of Indians may be reduced by 3.5 years if WHO standards of 5 micro grams per cubic metre for particulate matter are not met.

Now, here is a bad news, a fresh AQLI report 2025 by the Energy Policy Institute, University of Chicago says that instead of further reductions in particulate pollution levels as planned, it rose the very next year. Report says that according to the latest satellite-derived estimates, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 in India stood at 41 µg/m³ in 2023. This was over eight times higher than the WHO standard of 5 µg/m³. Report says that meeting WHO standards could have increased life expectancy of Indians by 3.5years

The capital crises

The Capital City of Delhi is the biggest sufferer. Report states that in Delhi, residents could gain as much as 8.2 years of life expectancy by meeting WHO air quality standards. Delhi’s would be the highest potential gain in the country.

Northern plains most affected

The Northern Plains of India with 544.4 million people and makes for 38.9% of the population remain the most polluted region. Provided WHO standards for PM 2.5 are met, the life expectancy of this population could increase by 5 years on an average. Meeting even National standards can add 1.6 years to life.

Outside of Delhi and the Northern Plains, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra face some of the highest health burdens due to air pollution. If WHO standards are met these states could see increase in life expectancy too. For example 3.3 years gain in Rajasthan, 3.1 years in Madhya Pradesh and 2.8 years in Maharashtra.

Pollution exposure across the country

Report says that 100% of the India’s residents live in areas where PM2.5 levels exceed the WHO guideline. Even in the cleanest parts of the country pollution levels exceeds WHO standards and if standards are met, therecould be an increase of 9.4 months in life expectancy even in these cleanest of the areas. Report further says that 46% of the population lives in areas where pollution levels exceed India’s own national PM2.5 standard of 40 µg/m³. If India meets just the National benchmark, this could lead to a gain of 1.5 years in life expectancy for nearly half the country.

The health burden

Particulate Matter pollution in the air is the biggest culprit and cuts years from life. Report says that particulate pollution kills you 3.5 years early where are Child and maternal malnutrition takes 1.6 years of life, Tobacco use 1.5 years and Unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene reduces 8.4 months.

National clean air programme

To address the issue of air pollution, the Government launched the National Clean Air Programme in 2019. NCAP’s aim was to reduce particulate pollution by 20–30% by 2024 compared to 2017 levels. The program then focused on 102 non-attainment cities. These were the cities that failed to meet national air quality standards.

However, the Government revised NCAP in 2022. Target was raised to reduction target of 40% but by 2026 and this time covering 131 cities.

Progress as of 2023

Reports states :

• PM2.5 levels in districts with non-attainment cities decreased by 10.5% compared to 2017.
• This added 6 months to the life expectancy of 443.4 million residents.
• At the national level, it contributed an increase of 2 months in average life expectancy.

Impact if 40% target is met

Reports indicates that if the target is achieved PM2.5 levels in the target cities would drop by 21.9 µg/m³. There could be a gain of 2.1 years in life expectancy and India’s national average life expectancy would increase by 7.9 months.