India Needs Better PM2.5 Targets to Improve Air Quality

India’s air pollution problem needs more than seasonal restrictions and emergency measures. Clear PM2.5 targets could help the country measure progress towards cleaner air and better public health.

A new FICCI-EY knowledge paper, Clean Air, Healthy India, calls for a health-led approach to pollution control under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP).

The report highlights the need to reduce exposure to fine particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream.

It also argues that India must connect pollution control with health outcomes rather than focus only on environmental improvements.

Why India Needs Clear PM2.5 Targets

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less. These particles are smaller than PM10 and can penetrate deeper into the lungs, making them a major public health concern. According to FICCI-EY, more than two million deaths in India were attributable to air pollution in 2023.

Long-term exposure to PM2.5 is linked to respiratory illnesses, heart disease, stroke, and cognitive impairment. These health effects also increase healthcare expenditure and affect productivity.

The report points to an important gap in India's clean-air strategy. NCAP primarily measures progress through PM10 levels, while PM2.5 needs greater attention. Clear PM2.5 targets could help policymakers assess whether pollution control measures actually reduce people's exposure. The report also stresses that India must move beyond winter pollution responses and treat clean air as a year-round public health priority.

Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and MD and CEO, Fortis Healthcare, said, “Clean air must be central to India’s healthcare agenda, not treated solely as an environmental objective. Healthcare institutions have an important role to play in strengthening public awareness, tracking pollution-related illness and improving preparedness. The FICCI-EY report calls for closer collaboration between government, industry and healthcare providers to translate clean-air commitments into measurable improvements in public health.”

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How India Can Strengthen its Air Pollution Strategy

The FICCI-EY paper recommends stronger air quality monitoring, coordinated regional action, and solutions that address pollution at its source. Pollution often crosses city boundaries, making cooperation between states and neighboring cities essential.

Its recommendations include:

• Construction: Make large construction sites adopt closed-loop dust management to reduce construction and demolition emissions.
• Transport: Use smart traffic signals to reduce congestion, vehicle idling, and emissions.
• Industry: Improve emissions monitoring, retrofit traditional brick kilns and replace diesel backup systems with battery-hybrid alternatives.
• Waste management: Convert crop residue into useful fuel and products to reduce stubble burning.

The report also calls for stronger compliance tracking, predictable government standards, and outcome-linked funding. Better PM2.5 targets can support accountability when authorities track pollution reduction alongside public health outcomes.

India's clean-air challenge requires sustained action, not temporary seasonal responses. Clear PM2.5 targets, stronger monitoring, and collaboration between government, industry, and healthcare institutions could help make cleaner air a measurable public health priority.