India says global air quality rankings aren't official

India Dec 11, 2025

India's government just made it clear: those worldwide air quality rankings from WHO and IQAir don't have any official status here.
According to Environment Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, these are more like suggestions than rules—each country can set its own standards based on what works for them.

India's own approach to clean air

Instead of following international lists, India uses its own National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to track 12 key pollutants.
Plus, the Swachh Vayu Survekshan ranks 130 cities each year and celebrates top performers on National Swachh Vayu Diwas every September—showing India's focus on homegrown solutions for cleaner air.