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NCAP covers 130 cities. In FY 2025-26, 108 cities recorded lower PM10 than the 2017-18 baseline; 72 achieved reductions above 20% and 26 above 40%. Focus: city action plans must evolve toward regional airshed governance.
WHY IN NEWS
India's clean-air progress was highlighted around the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, with NCAP cities reporting measurable reductions in particulate pollution.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed on 7 September.
- India's National Clean Air Programme covers 130 cities.
- In FY 2025-26, 108 cities recorded lower PM10 levels than the 2017-18 baseline.
- Of these, 72 cities achieved PM10 reductions above 20%.
- Another 26 cities recorded reductions above 40%.
- NCAP uses 2017-18 as an important baseline period for tracking city-level progress.
- PM10 refers to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometres or less.
- City-specific clean-air action plans combine transport, road dust, industry, waste and construction measures.
- Air-quality monitoring is essential for source attribution and performance measurement.
- Cleaner mobility can reduce combustion-related urban emissions.
- Road-dust management is especially important for PM10 control in Indian cities.
- Industrial emission compliance requires continuous monitoring and enforcement.
- Open waste burning contributes both particulate pollution and toxic emissions.
- Urban airsheds cross municipal boundaries, making regional coordination necessary.
- Clean-air policy has health, productivity, climate-co-benefit and urban-governance dimensions.
PRELIMS
- The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed on 7 September.
- India's National Clean Air Programme covers 130 cities.
- In FY 2025-26, 108 cities recorded lower PM10 levels than the 2017-18 baseline.
- Of these, 72 cities achieved PM10 reductions above 20%.
- Another 26 cities recorded reductions above 40%.
- NCAP uses 2017-18 as an important baseline period for tracking city-level progress.
- PM10 refers to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometres or less.
- City-specific clean-air action plans combine transport, road dust, industry, waste and construction measures.
QUICK REVISION
- Core theme: Environment.
- Key institution/scheme: NCAP Progress.
- Remember the official figures, legal/institutional architecture and the exact scope of the intervention.