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Ishita Roy

'India Sets Its Own Air Standards,' Says Government, As Delhi Struggles To Breathe Through Toxic Air, 'WHO Guidelines Are Only Advisory'

<span>Delhi AQI</span> turns 'very poor' on Friday, with overall Air Quality Index hitting at 331 at 7am. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Jahangirpuri was the worst-affected area, and had its AQI at 405, under the 'severe' zone. Reports have shown that PM2.5 or the particulate matter levels in Delhi is well over 30 times the World Health Organization (WHO) safe standard. 

However, the Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said in Parliament that the WHO guidelines are only meant to help nations frame their own standards, factoring in geography, environmental conditions and local circumstances. He said that no global authority conducts official rankings, the government evaluates air quality within the country through its annual Swachh Vayu Survekshan, which ranks 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) based on improvement efforts. 

This was the Centre's response on Thursday to a question in Rajya Sabha on India's stand on IQAIr's World Air Quality Ranking, the WHO Global Air Quality Database, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) metrics.

While this was happening in the Parliament, the Central government's 'Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi' said that "The air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category from 11.12.2025 to 13.12.2025. The outlook for the subsequent 6 Days: The air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category. 

So, what is to be considered? Is the central government evading India's global air quality rankings? Previously, the union government also denied any deaths directly linked to air pollution. 

However, the GBD data found that at least 15% of all deaths in 2023 were related to air pollution. The analysis was based on the data released by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). The data estimated around 17,188 deaths in the national capital, all of which were linked to long-term exposure to particulate matter or PM2.5. This means 1 in every 7 deaths in Delhi could be traced to city's toxic air.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/connection-between-migration-and-pollution-people-are-leaving-city-to-be-away-from-delhis-toxic-air-article-153277517" data-type="tilCustomLink">Connection Between Migration And Pollution: People Are Leaving City To Be Away From Delhi's Toxic Air</a> 

<h2>Is The Government Doing Anything?</h2>

Amid the continuously worsening air condition in Delhi, the government has now formed an 'expert group' to combat air pollution as health crisis rise.

The panel will study how pollution builds up from human activity as well as natural causes and will recommend technology upgrades, policy reforms, and sector specific interventions that can be put into action.

The group will be chaired by retired IAS officer and former Union Environment Secretary Leena Nandan. Other members include former CPCB member secretary Dr JS Kamyotra, IIT Delhi professor emeritus Mukesh Khare, IIT Kanpur professor emeritus Mukesh Sharma, and Dr Suneel Pandey, director of Circular Economy and Waste Management at TERI. Representatives from CAQM, the IMD, APAG, PHDCCI and senior officials from the Delhi government are also part of the group. The Secretary of Environment and Forest is a member, and the DPCC chairman will serve as member secretary.

This expert panel will act as a high level advisory body, offering clear, actionable guidance that can shape both emergency responses and long term reforms. It will track the progress of current pollution control programs, study global best practices, and flag where corrections are needed. The group will meet every month, either in person or virtually, and will receive administrative support from the <span>Delhi Pollution</span> Control Committee. The initial tenure is six months, with the option to extend if required.

<h2>What Does Government Data Tell Us About Pollution And Health?</h2>

The government revealed that in the span of three years between 2022 to 2024, Delhi's six state run hospitals recorded 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illness. The government also said in parliament that more than 30,000 people were hospitalized in Delhi over three years with respiratory illness.

For weeks Delhi's PM2.5 levels have stayed 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the span of three years, here is how many case Delhi's six major hospitals have recorded:

"Analysis suggests that increase in pollution levels was associated with increase in number of patients attending emergency rooms. However, this study design cannot provide confirmation that the association is causal," the government told parliament.

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Delhi AQI turns 'very poor' on Friday, with overall Air Quality Index hitting at 331 at 7am. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Jahangirpuri was the worst-affected area, and had its AQI at 405, under the 'severe' zone. Reports have shown that PM2.5 or the particulate matter levels in Delhi is well over 30 times the World Health Organization (WHO) safe standard. However, the Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said in Parliament that the WHO guidelines are only meant to help nations frame their own standards, factoring in geography, environmental conditions and local circumstances. He said that no global authority conducts official rankings, the government evaluates air quality within the country through its annual Swachh Vayu Survekshan, which ranks 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) based on improvement efforts. This was the Centre's response on Thursday to a question in Rajya Sabha on India's stand on IQAIr's World Air Quality Ranking, the WHO Global Air Quality Database, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) metrics.While this was happening in the Parliament, the Central government's 'Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi' said that "The air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category from 11.12.2025 to 13.12.2025. The outlook for the subsequent 6 Days: The air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category. So, what is to be considered? Is the central government evading India's global air quality rankings? Previously, the union government also denied any deaths directly linked to air pollution. However, the GBD data found that at least 15% of all deaths in 2023 were related to air pollution. The analysis was based on the data released by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). The data estimated around 17,188 deaths in the national capital, all of which were linked to long-term exposure to particulate matter or PM2.5. This means 1 in every 7 deaths in Delhi could be traced to city's toxic air.Also Read: Connection Between Migration And Pollution: People Are Leaving City To Be Away From Delhi's Toxic Air Is The Government Doing Anything?Amid the continuously worsening air condition in Delhi, the government has now formed an 'expert group' to combat air pollution as health crisis rise.The panel will study how pollution builds up from human activity as well as natural causes and will recommend technology upgrades, policy reforms, and sector specific interventions that can be put into action.The group will be chaired by retired IAS officer and former Union Environment Secretary Leena Nandan. Other members include former CPCB member secretary Dr JS Kamyotra, IIT Delhi professor emeritus Mukesh Khare, IIT Kanpur professor emeritus Mukesh Sharma, and Dr Suneel Pandey, director of Circular Economy and Waste Management at TERI. Representatives from CAQM, the IMD, APAG, PHDCCI and senior officials from the Delhi government are also part of the group. The Secretary of Environment and Forest is a member, and the DPCC chairman will serve as member secretary.This expert panel will act as a high level advisory body, offering clear, actionable guidance that can shape both emergency responses and long term reforms. It will track the progress of current pollution control programs, study global best practices, and flag where corrections are needed. The group will meet every month, either in person or virtually, and will receive administrative support from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. The initial tenure is six months, with the option to extend if required.What Does Government Data Tell Us About Pollution And Health?The government revealed that in the span of three years between 2022 to 2024, Delhi's six state run hospitals recorded 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illness. The government also said in parliament that more than 30,000 people were hospitalized in Delhi over three years with respiratory illness.For weeks Delhi's PM2.5 levels have stayed 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the span of three years, here is how many case Delhi's six major hospitals have recorded:2022: 67,0542023: 69,2932024: 68,411"Analysis suggests that increase in pollution levels was associated with increase in number of patients attending emergency rooms. However, this study design cannot provide confirmation that the association is causal," the government told parliament.

'india sets its own air standards,' says government, as delhi struggles to breathe through toxic air, 'who guidelines are only advisory'

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'India Sets Its Own Air Standards,' Says Government, As Delhi Struggles To Breathe Through Toxic Air, 'WHO Guidelines Are Only Advisory'

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