📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Fredericknoronha
Health
India hosts 49 of the world’s 50 most polluted cities, Delhi ranks 24th
✍️ India Today
🗓 10 Nov 2026, 01:01 PM
👁 30
A new report shows that 49 of the 50 most polluted cities worldwide are located in India, with the capital Delhi placed at the 24th spot on the list.
A recent India Today analysis reveals that 49 of the 50 cities with the worst air‑quality scores globally are situated in India, highlighting a nationwide pollution crisis.
Delhi, the country’s capital, is positioned at rank 24 on the same list, indicating it remains among the most polluted urban centres despite not topping the chart.
The concentration of polluted cities reflects persistent sources such as industrial output, dense traffic and seasonal weather patterns that trap particulate matter.
Public health officials have called for stronger emission controls, expanded green zones and accelerated adoption of cleaner technologies to curb the trend.
The findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated policy action to safeguard the health of millions of residents across the nation.
Delhi, the country’s capital, is positioned at rank 24 on the same list, indicating it remains among the most polluted urban centres despite not topping the chart.
The concentration of polluted cities reflects persistent sources such as industrial output, dense traffic and seasonal weather patterns that trap particulate matter.
Public health officials have called for stronger emission controls, expanded green zones and accelerated adoption of cleaner technologies to curb the trend.
The findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated policy action to safeguard the health of millions of residents across the nation.