Why in news
- India observed Swachh Vayu Diwas on September 7, aligning with the UN International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
- The Ministry of Environment reviewed progress across 130 non-attainment cities targeted under NCAP.
Key terms
Non-Attainment Cities
Cities that consistently fail to meet national ambient air quality standards over a 5-year period.
What is NCAP?
- National-level strategy launched in 2019 to reduce particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations by 20–30% by 2024 (later revised to 40% by 2026) taking 2017 as the base year.
- Covers 130 non-attainment cities that systematically violated National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Implementation Strategy & Progress
- Engages Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as first responders for enforcing Solid Waste Management Rules and Construction & Demolition Waste Management Rules.
- In FY 2025–26, 108 cities recorded lower PM10 levels compared to 2017–18, with 72 cities achieving over 20% reduction.
Prelims facts
- NCAP targets non-attainment cities using 2017 as the baseline year for PM reduction.
Mains discussion
- Role of Urban Local Bodies in managing localized urban pollution sources.
Source: PIB English
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2020 · Q17 · GS III · 15 marks
What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? -
2021 · Q7 · GS III · 10 marks
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 these revised standards ? -
2017 · Q65 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries. 2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?