Over the past decade, China has achieved a sharp reduction in urban PM2.5 pollution through sustained regulation and coordinated enforcement, while India’s average air pollution levels have shown little overall change. The contrast in PM2.5 data highlights how consistent policy action can deliver measurable air quality improvement, whereas uneven regulation combined with rapid urban expansion continues to slow progress across Indian cities.
Within India, air pollution trends vary widely, with Delhi recording the most visible improvement since 2011 despite remaining among the world’s most polluted cities. In contrast, pollution levels in cities such as Pune and Surat have worsened, driven by fast paced urbanisation, construction activity, and growing vehicle density, placing them among the weaker performers in national air quality outcomes.