• The results of Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025 offer both a sense of achievement and a reality check in India’s battle against air pollution.
• Indore, long celebrated as the nation’s cleanest city, has once again claimed the top spot in the million-plus population category, reaffirming its reputation for civic discipline and environmental leadership.
• Yet, beneath the surface of rankings lies the uncomfortable truth that India’s urban centres are far from breathing easy.
• The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has undeniably spurred action.
• The survey records that 103 out of 130 NCAP cities witnessed a reduction in PM10 levels, with 64 cities achieving at least a 20% cut. Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, for instance, demonstrated encouraging declines. Chennai, in particular, stood out as the only metro to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
• These gains prove that targeted interventions—whether in vehicular management, industrial emissions, or dust control—can yield tangible results.