As winter settles in, India’s air quality has taken a severe hit — and this time, the crisis is not driven by stubble burning alone. A new report by CREA reveals that air pollution levels spiked sharply in November 2025, with 9 out of the 10 most polluted cities recording worse air than last year.
Ghaziabad Tops the List as India’s Most Polluted City
According to the data, Ghaziabad recorded the highest pollution levels in the country last month.
-
PM2.5 average: 224 µg/m³
-
Air-quality violation: Exceeded national limits every single day
Even New Delhi could not escape the toxic air. The capital reported an average of 215 µg/m³, nearly double its October level, making it the fourth most polluted city in India.
Big Shift: Pollution Soars Even With Less Stubble Burning
One of the most striking findings is the massive drop in pollution from stubble burning.
-
In Delhi, stubble smoke contributed only 7% to November’s pollution
-
Last year, it was around 20%
This proves that the real threat now comes from year-round pollution sources such as:
-
Vehicle emissions
-
Industrial pollution
-
Power plants
-
Combustion-related activities
Experts Warn of Long-Term Air Quality Damage
CREA analyst Manoj Kumar warns that without strict sector-wise emission control, Indian cities will continue to violate clean-air standards throughout the year.
Nationwide Deterioration: Most Cities Fail to Meet Safe Air Standards
The pollution rise is not limited to metro cities — it is a nationwide problem.
Out of 255 Indian cities with reliable air-quality data:
-
Only 114 cities met India’s daily safe PM2.5 limit (60 µg/m³)
-
Only 2 cities met the WHO guideline (15 µg/m³)
These numbers underline a deepening environmental crisis affecting millions across the country.
