Curbing Air Pollution Crisis in India

• 31 Oct 2025

This editorial is based on “ Cloud seeding was never the solution for Delhi’s air pollution,” which was published in The Indian Express on 29/10/2025. The article argues that cloud seeding is an ineffective and symbolic solution for Delhi’s severe air pollution, emphasising the need for long-term, science-based, and regionally coordinated actions to address the root causes.

For Prelims: Cloud seeding, AQI ,Particulate matter (PM2.5),Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI),Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981,Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011,National Green Tribunal (NGT),EIA Notification, 2006,National Clean Air Programme (NCAP),Notification of Ambient Air Quality Standards, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

For Mains:  Key Factors Contributing to the Worsening Air Pollution Crisis in India,Major steps taken by Government to curb Air Pollution India ,Measures to Curb Air Pollution Effectively in India

Every winter, Delhi faces severe air pollution due to crop residue burning, vehicular emissions, and unfavourable weather conditions, trapping pollutants. In 2025, the Delhi government and IIT Kanpur conducted cloud seeding experiments to induce artificial rain, but the effort saw limited success because of low atmospheric moisture. The episode revealed that cloud seeding is a temporary, uncertain fix, underscoring the need for long-term, coordinated, and science-based strategies to tackle the root causes of pollution rather than relying on symbolic interventions.

What is Cloud Seeding?

• About: A 2024 report by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, defines cloud seeding as a weather modification technique that involves introducing ‘seed’ particles into suitable clouds to enhance rainfall.
  • To induce artificial rainfall, suitable clouds are injected with salts such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, or sodium chloride, which act as the ‘seed’ to promote condensation and droplet formation.
•  Working Mechanism of Cloud Seeding: 
  • Suitable clouds with adequate moisture and vertical thickness are identified.
  • Seeding agents are released via aircraft, drones, rockets, or ground generators into these clouds.
  • The chemicals facilitate the conversion of water vapour into larger droplets or ice crystals, which fall as rain or snow.
• Necessary Conditions for Effective Cloud Seeding:
  • Presence of moisture-rich clouds (especially cumulus and nimbostratus types) with at least 50% moisture content.
  • Cloud thickness of at least 1 kilometre and suitable temperatures.
  • Cold clouds with supercooled water droplets between -20°C and -7°C for cold cloud seeding.
  • Warm clouds with temperatures above freezing for warm cloud seeding.
  • Favourable wind direction and speed to keep seeding agents within the target area.
  • Strong vertical updrafts to disperse agents and promote cloud development.
• International Success and Applications:
  • Used since the 1940s mainly to boost rainfall in drought-prone or water-scarce regions (e.g., USA, China, UAE).
  • It can serve as short-term relief during droughts, support agriculture, and act as emergency air-quality intervention.
  • Pakistan’s 2023 artificial rain experiment in Lahore showed minimal rainfall but helped reduce AQI temporarily, with pollution rebounding after a few days.
• Limitations of Cloud Seeding:
  •  Cannot induce rain without suitable clouds and adequate moisture.
  •  Effects are temporary, with rainfall lasting from a few hours to a couple of days.
  • Measuring precise effectiveness is difficult due to natural atmospheric variability
  • Chemicals used pose potential environmental risks such as soil and water contamination; long-term effects require monitoring.
• Delhi Cloud Seeding Experiment (2025):
  • Conducted by the Delhi government in partnership with IIT Kanpur to explore artificial rain as a pollution control measure.
  • Five cloud-seeding flights were carried out over northwest Delhi using silver iodide dispersal.
  • Trials witnessed limited success to produce significant rainfall due to low moisture levels (around 10–15%) in Delhi's winter clouds.
  • Minimal rainfall observed nearby in Noida (0.1–0.2 mm) but not directly over Delhi.
  • Air quality monitoring showed small reductions in PM2.5 and PM10, likely due to increased moisture aiding particle settling.
  • Experts caution cloud seeding is not a sustainable solution and stress need for coordinated efforts addressing pollution sources.

What are the Key Factors Contributing to the Worsening Air Pollution Crisis in India? 

• Vehicular Emissions: India's rapid motorization has made vehicular emissions a major pollution source. In Delhi alone, transportation contributes over 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions. (GHG Footprint of Major Cities in India)
  • Vehicles emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons, significantly worsening air quality.
  • Despite Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) standards (2020), vehicle growth and non-compliance continue to pose risks.
  • Vehicular pollution causes respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and reduced life expectancy. 
  • According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 Report , air pollution remains among India’s top three causes of premature death and disability.
    • According to the State of Global Air 2024, air pollution causes over 2 million deaths annually in India.
• Industrial Pollution: Coal-fired power plants, cement factories, and manufacturing units release sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
  • Coal remains the predominant source, accounting for approximately 70% of electricity generation, despite the growth in renewable energy installations.
  • Major industrial belts in states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh contribute persistently high pollution loads.
  • These emissions contribute to smog formation and acid rain, exacerbating respiratory and heart diseases.
  • Industrial pollution often exceeds permissible limits, making air quality hazardous during winter, especially in urban clusters.
  • Many projects proceed without proper Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) or disregard clearance conditions due to weak State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and monitoring bodies.
    • The Supreme Court in MC Mehta v. Union of India (2024) noted more than 60% vacancy rates in some SPCBs, crippling enforcement.
• Crop Residue Burning: Burning of wheat and rice residues in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh annually releases millions of tons of smoke and particulate matter.
  • This practice, peaking in October–November, severely deteriorates air quality in northern India.
    • The problem persists because government incentives for mechanized residue management (like 'Happy Seeder' machines) have not adequately overcome the farmers' immediate cost and logistical burden.
  • The resulting smog pushes Delhi's AQI beyond 400, causing respiratory emergencies, school closures, and economic losses. 
  • With millions exposed daily to particulate matter above safe limits, the pollution–NCD link exacerbates respiratory and cardiac morbidity.
  • Despite government incentives for mechanized residue management, crop burning remains widespread due to lack of awareness and cost-effective alternatives.

• Construction and Road Dust: India's urban infrastructure boom generates vast construction dust. Unpaved roads and vehicular movement further stir road dust, adding to PM10 pollution.
  • Dust aggravates asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments, particularly among children and the elderly. 
  • During dry seasons, dust can account for up to 50% of PM10 levels in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru.
  • Regulatory bodies and ULBs frequently demonstrate poor oversight and inadequate enforcement of existing guidelines related to construction dust management and C&D waste disposal. Fines are often low or unevenly applied, failing to act as a significant deterrent.
• Improper Waste Management: Open burning of municipal solid waste, including plastics and electronic waste, is common in urban slums and peri-urban areas. 
  • This emits dioxins, furans, heavy metals, and particulate matter.
  • Releases toxic emissions degrading air and soil quality, causing chronic diseases and cancer risks. 
    • According to a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India generates an average of 62 million tonnes (MT) of waste annually, including 7.9 MT of hazardous waste, 5.6 MT of plastic waste, 1.5 MT of e-waste, and 0.17 MT of biomedical waste.
    • Only 43 MT of the total waste generated is collected, with 12 MT treated before disposal, while the remaining 31 MT is discarded in wasteyards.
  • Household Air Pollution: Around 41% of the Indian population still uses wood, cow dung, or other biomass as cooking fuel, cumulatively emitting around 340 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the environment every year- about 13% of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
    • This releases harmful particulates and toxic gases indoors and outdoors.
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) accounts for 75% of chronic respiratory diseases, heavily linked to indoor cooking fuel smoke and urban ambient pollution. 
• Meteorological and Geographical Factors: Temperature inversions, low wind speeds, and dense fog during winter months trap pollutants near the surface. 
  • The Indo-Gangetic Plain’s flat topography and high population density worsen pollutant accumulation.
  • Leads to multi-day pollution spikes, acute respiratory distress, and hospitalization surges across North India. 
  • Studies estimate life expectancy reductions of over 8 years in highly polluted cities due to chronic exposure.

Framework For Air Pollution Management in India

•  Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 21 – Right to Life: Includes the right to a healthy environment; courts have expanded this to environmental protection.
  • Article 48A – Directive Principle: Mandates the state to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
  • Article 51A(g) – Fundamental Duties: Obligates citizens to protect the environment.
• Key Environmental Laws:
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: Provides overarching powers to the central government to protect and improve environmental quality.
  • Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: Addresses air pollution and empowers regulatory authorities.
  • Forest Conservation Act, 1980: Regulates diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
  • Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011: Regulates development in coastal areas.
  • EIA Notification, 2006: Mandates Environmental Clearance (EC) for developmental projects.
• Regulatory and Institutional Mechanisms:
  • Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): Formulates policies, grants ECs, and oversees environmental compliance.
  • Central and State Pollution Control Boards: Monitor air and water pollution, enforce regulations.
  • National Green Tribunal (NGT): Specialised judicial body for the speedy resolution of environmental disputes and the enforcement of environmental laws.

What are the Key Steps Taken by the Government to Curb Air Pollution India?  

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• Notification of Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Revision of emission standards for industrial sectors from time to time
• Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality
• Promotion of ethanol blending
• Launching of National Air Quality Index (AQI)
• Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards
• Introduction of BS-VI compliant vehicles across the country since April 2020
• Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules
• Installation of online continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries
• Constitution of Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas
• Notification of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and NCR
  • GRAP categorises pollution response measures into four stages, depending on the AQI levels.

What Comprehensive Measures are Required to Curb Air Pollution Effectively in India?

• Strengthen and Mandate Strict Emission Standards: States must explicitly recognise and implement the right to a clean and healthy environment as a fundamental right, as affirmed by the Supreme Court. 
  • The EIA process must be non-negotiable and inclusive, ensuring all projects- industrial, educational, or infrastructure, undergo full impact evaluation with mandatory public consultations. 
  • India should rigorously enforce Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) vehicular standards nationwide and phase out older, polluting vehicles through incentivized scrappage schemes. 
  • Regulations need legal backing for stringent implementation, akin to European Union practices, where emission limits are coupled with penalties and real-world testing.
  • Such measures could reduce vehicular PM2.5 and NOx emissions substantially to  improve urban air quality.
• Promote Clean and Renewable Energy Century-Wide: Accelerating the transition from coal and fossil fuels to renewables like solar, wind, and hydropower is crucial.
  • India’s renewable energy capacity reached over 225 GW by 2025, but to achieve the 500 GW target by 2030, it must:
    • Invest strategically in Green Energy Corridors to enable grid stability and efficient renewable power evacuation.
    • Digitise grid management using AI and smart metering to forecast demand, manage variability, and optimise dispatch of intermittent resources such as solar and wind.
    • Implement policies like waiving Inter-State Transmission System charges and expanding General Network Access, facilitating smoother market entry and project connectivity.
  • This shift will simultaneously lower CO2 emissions and particulate pollution, addressing climate change and air quality in tandem.
• Implement Integrated Agricultural Waste Management:  Building on Commission for Air Quality Management’s coordination, India must enhance technology adoption for crop residue management—mechanical removal, biochar production, and bioenergy use. 
  • Providing incentives for farmers to adopt sustainable alternatives to stubble burning—such as the Pusa Decomposer and biomass utilization for biogas production—can significantly reduce air pollution.
  • This replicates successful programs in California’s San Joaquin Valley, where strict crop burning laws and alternatives led to measurable air quality improvements.
• Expand Urban Green Infrastructure and Dust Control:  Large-scale urban afforestation, roadside greenbelts, and permeable surfaces can trap particulate pollution and reduce urban heat islands. 
  • Coupled with dust suppression technologies—anti-smog guns, water sprinklers, and paving unpaved roads—cities like Delhi can manage construction dust, which accounts for nearly half of urban PM10 pollution during dry seasons. 
  • Singapore’s green urban planning offers a model for integrating vegetation and urban development effectively.
• Strengthen Waste Management to Halt Open Burning: India must fast-track the implementation of scientific municipal solid waste management practices—segregation, recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy projects—to eliminate open burning of waste, a dangerous source of dioxins and particulate matter. 
  • Cities like Pune have demonstrated success through community participation in waste segregation and processing, leading to measurable air quality benefits.
  • The Supreme Court, through MC Mehta v. Union of India (1986) and subsequent rulings, reinforced this approach by upholding the “Polluter Pays Principle” and the “Precautionary Principle” as foundational to India’s environmental jurisprudence.
• Institutionalise Regional and Multi-Sectoral Governance: Air pollution is transboundary; hence, the central government must empower bodies like the Commission for Air Quality Management with adequate authority, funding, and interstate coordination capabilities. 
  • Multi-sector committees, incorporating health, urban planning, transport, and agriculture ministries, can design integrated action plans. 
  • The European Union’s coordinated member-state approach to transboundary pollution control exemplifies this practice.
• Enhance Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring and Public Awareness:  Expand deployment of low-cost sensors integrated with satellite and AI analytics for real-time air quality alerts and forecasting. 
  • Integrate AI, IoT sensors, satellite monitoring, and third-party audits mandated by the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, to detect violations early. 
    • AI-supported analytics help courts and policymakers identify enforcement gaps and direct resources effectively. 
    • Real-time data dashboards for air quality will empower both regulators and communities.
  • Transparent, accessible data will empower citizens and authorities to enact emergency measures.
  • Health advisories and educational campaigns must engage communities in sustainable behaviours. 
  • South Korea's comprehensive air quality alert system offers a successful example.

Conclusion: 

Every breath we take is a gift from the planet-safeguarding air quality is safeguarding life itself.Thus,India must align its pollution control efforts with SDG 3 (Health), SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by strengthening emission norms, promoting renewables, managing waste sustainably, and fostering inclusive, science-based governance to ensure clean air, public health, and environmental justice for future generations.

Drishti Mains Question: 

Short-term interventions such as cloud seeding offer rain to wash away haze but fall short of systemic reform in India’s air pollution mitigation strategy.Critically examine

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.What is cloud seeding and why is it not a reliable long-term solution for Delhi’s winter pollution?
Cloud seeding is a weather-modification technique that disperses agents (e.g., silver iodide) into existing clouds to enhance precipitation; it is unreliable for Delhi because it requires moisture-rich clouds and offers only temporary, location-limited relief.

2.Which government programmes and regulatory tools constitute India’s primary framework for air-quality management?
Key instruments include the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Ambient Air Quality Standards, National AQI, BS-VI fuel/vehicle norms, GRAP, and institutions like MoEFCC, CPCBs and the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM).

3.How does crop residue burning contribute to Delhi’s pollution and what measures can mitigate it?
Seasonal burning in Punjab, Haryana and UP releases millions of tonnes of PM, spiking Delhi’s AQI (often >400); mitigation requires mechanised residue management, subsidies, bioenergy/biochar solutions and farmer training.

4.What are the major anthropogenic sources of air pollution in India and their health impacts?
Major sources are vehicular emissions (≈30% in Delhi), industrial emissions, construction/road dust, household biomass use and open waste burning — causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and large premature-death burdens.

5.What comprehensive policy actions are recommended to curb air pollution effectively in India?
Combine strict enforcement of BS-VI and vehicle scrappage, scale up renewables (500 GW by 2030), integrated agricultural waste management, urban green infrastructure and dust control, expanded real-time monitoring/AQI alerts, and strengthened regional, multi-sector governance.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of :  (2025)

1. silver iodide and potassium iodide
2. silver nitrate and potassium iodide
3. silver iodide and potassium nitrate
4. silver nitrate and potassium chloride

Ans: A

Q. In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into the stratosphere? (2019)

(a) Creating the artificial rains in some regions 

(b) Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones 

(c) Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth 

(d) Reducing the global warming

Ans: (d)

Q. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? (2016)

1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: (b)

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Mains: 

Q. Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country, but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (2015)

Q. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (2021)