Delhi world's most polluted city, 2 other Indian, 2 Pak cities among top 10

According to the list, shared by Swiss air quality firm IQAir, while Delhi stood at the top, Mumbai got the 5th spot and Kolkata ranked at the 8th.

Updated on: Oct 21, 2025, 12:15:25 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

India’s air pollution problem has drawn global attention, with the national capital ranking as the world’s most polluted city. While Delhi just topped the chart, there were two more Indian cities ranking pretty high on the global chart.

Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 350, as of 8 am this morning

According to the list, shared by Swiss air quality firm IQAir, while Delhi stood at the top, Mumbai got the 5th spot and Kolkata ranked at the 8th. Two Pakistani cities also made it to the top 10 most-polluted, with Lahore at 2nd and Karachi at spot 4.

Here are the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, according to the report:

Delhi, India
Lahore, Pakistan
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Karachi, Pakistan
Mumbai, India
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Doha, Qatar
Kolkata, India
Canberra, Australia
Jakarta, Indonesia

The worrying pollution data of the Indians cities came a day after Diwali, when firecrackers were burst across India. Crackers are one of the most significant factors that contribute to air pollution, and air quality sees a big dip every year after firecrackers are burst on Diwali.

While Supreme Court allowed the sale and bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR, people reportedly didn't stick to the timing set for its use from October 18 to 21. The top court had said that crackers can only be burst from 6-7 pm and 8-10 pm, but the firecracker bursting went well beyond the stipulated windows.

Delhi’s top spot on the list of the world’s most polluted cities also coincides with several areas in the city recording a ‘severe’ Air Quality Index on Tuesday.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI score between 0-50 is considered ‘Good’, 51-100 is ‘satisfactory’, 100-200 is ‘moderate’, 201-300 is ‘poor’ and causes breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure, 301-400 is ‘very poor’, and 401-500 is ‘severe’.

On Tuesday, Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 350, as of 8 am this morning, which means the reading was in the 'very poor' category. However, some areas like Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Wazirpur, Alipur and Burari Crossing saw AQI in the 'severe' category with readings surpassing 401.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.