According to the World Air Quality Report by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India. Begusarai in Assam has been identified as the most polluted city globally. Despite this, India’s overall ranking has slightly improved, moving from the third to the fifth most polluted country.

Delhi, however, retains its title as the world’s most polluted capital city. The report highlights the severe air quality challenges faced by Indian cities, with industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and agricultural burning contributing to the crisis. While the slight improvement in India’s ranking is a positive sign, the data underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat air pollution and protect public health.