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Home / IAS Preparation / NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)

NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards): Monitoring and Pollutants

Last Updated on Jan 15, 2025
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The Central Pollution Control Board established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards or NAAQS under the provisions of the Air Pollution (Prevention and Control of Pollution Act), 1981. This was a much-needed step as major Indian cities have been facing the problem of air pollution. The situation is so serious that 7 Indian cities come in the list of the top 10 polluted cities of the world. The smog that covers the whole of North India and shoots the air quality index to severe levels is a recurring feature in every winter season. 

In this article, we shall discuss the different working aspects of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, like the monitoring mechanism, the list of pollutants covered under it, and the role of the Central Pollution Control Board in maintaining healthy air quality

This is a very important concept related to the UPSC IAS exams. It forms a significant portion of the environment subject of the General Studies Prelims syllabus and the General Studies Mains Paper 3 syllabus.

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What Are National Ambient Air Quality Standards?

The NAAQS is a measure taken by the Union Environment Ministry in collaboration with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to maintain healthy air quality and mitigate the effects of air pollution. The full form of NAAQS is National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The idea of bringing a uniform nationwide air pollution standard or compliance norm was first contemplated during the 1970s. The Stockholm Conference on Environment in 1972 made India consider a regulatory mechanism to mitigate air pollution. 

After much deliberation inside and outside the Parliament, India passed the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act in 1981. This act led to the establishment of the CPCB. In 1982 the Central Pollution Control Board launched India’s first ambient air quality standards. The main purpose behind setting up these standards is the effective management of the ambient air quality of India. 

After the standards were laid out for the first time, the Central Pollution Control Board revised them thrice in 1994, 1998 and 2009. The 2009 version is currently in operation in the entire country. The current version of NAAQS has been toughened with the lowering of the permissible limits of the pollutants and laying a uniform air quality standard for the whole of India. It has done away with relaxations given to the industrial zones in emission norms and keeps the industrial and residential areas on a relatively same scale. 

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Latest News Related to NAAQS

The National Air Quality Index (AQI) highlights pollution levels in Indian cities. It tracks harmful national air quality index pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, and NO₂. Efforts are increasing to improve National Air Quality Index India standards.

Key Updates:

  • Recent updates on the Indian National Air Quality Index show stricter measures for industries and vehicles.
  • Policies aim to reduce national air quality index pollutants significantly through better regulations and enforcement.
  • Enhanced monitoring systems are being installed across cities to improve tracking of National Air Quality Index AQI.

Government Initiatives:

  • Public awareness campaigns on the National Air Quality Index India encourage eco-friendly habits like carpooling and reducing waste burning.
  • The government promotes cleaner energy alternatives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut down on national air quality index pollutants.
  • Educational programs teach citizens how to interpret the National Air Quality Index and take preventive actions.

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NAAQS Monitoring

The Central Pollution Control Board monitors the compliance of NAAQS under the National Air Monitoring Programme. As a part of this programme, the CPCB shall extensively monitor the air quality, level and type of pollutants present in the air, report violators of NAAQS and take up research and survey activities on the pollution trends. 

The National Air Monitoring Programme covers various pollutants like Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Suspended particulate matter, and respirable suspended particulate matter, including PM 2.5 and PM 10. Currently, this programme covers 344 towns and cities through a network of 842 monitoring stations spread across 28 states and 6 union territories. 

These pollutants are monitored over a span of 24 hours with a frequency of two times every week. This will give a total of 104 observations every year. By analysing the data given by the national air monitoring programme, Central Pollution Control Board will get an idea regarding the compliance of NAAQS in different urban centres. It can prepare reports and forward it to relevant authorities to take appropriate steps in the areas that violate the standards frequently. 

The monitoring of national air quality standards is done by the CPCB in collaboration with the respective state pollution control boards and the National Engineering Environmental Research Institute, Nagpur. 

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Pollutants Covered Under NAAQS

As per the 2009 NAAQS guidelines, a total of 12 pollutants are covered. The list of all the NAAQS pollutants is given below:

  • Particulate Matter 2.5
  • Particulate Matter 10
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
  • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  • Benzene 
  • Nickel 
  • Arsenic 
  • Ozone
  • Lead
  • Ammonia 
  • Benzopyrene 

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CPCB’s Role in Air Quality

The functions, roles and responsibilities of the Central Pollution Control Board have been given described below: 

  • One of the major responsibilities of Central Pollution Control Board is to guide the government on matters related to air pollution and how to maintain good air quality. 
  • The most important function of CPCB in terms of maintaining air quality is to notify the national air quality standards and update the same from time to time. CPCB has been given the power to establish air quality standards by the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981. 
  • It prepares regular reports outlining the leading cause of air pollution and suggests measures to tackle the menace of air pollution. 
  • The CPCB oversees the implementation of national air standards through the air quality monitoring mechanism. 
  • It sets up monitoring stations in collaboration with different environmental organisations and the respective state pollution control boards. 
  • As and when needed, the CPCB also works as a mentor for the state pollution control boards. It offers them technical guidance on complex matters and assists in formulating strategies to curb air pollution, among others. 
  • It carries out independent research studies on the causes, control measures and the use of technology for mitigating air pollution. Moreover, collaborates with leading research institutions to find out cost-effective and innovative solutions to the problem of air pollution. 
  • It is the responsibility of CPCB to collect and map the data on emissions and identify the areas or entities responsible for regularly violating NAAQS.

NAAQS and AQI - Differences

Aspect

NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)

AQI (Air Quality Index)

Definition

NAAQS are air quality standards set to regulate pollutant concentrations in the atmosphere.

AQI is a real-time measure that indicates the quality of air on a specific day or location.

Purpose

Sets permissible limits for pollutants to protect public health and the environment.

Informs the public about the current air quality and its health implications.

Focus

Long-term air quality management and compliance with pollutant limits.

Short-term public awareness of air pollution levels.

Parameters Measured

Includes pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, and lead.

Tracks real-time levels of pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, CO, O₃, and SO₂.

Geographical Scope

Applicable across entire regions and countries.

Localized, specific to cities or smaller geographical areas.

Time Frame

Monitors pollution levels over extended periods (e.g., annually or quarterly).

Provides data in real-time or for a single day.

Health Impacts

Focuses on preventing long-term exposure-related health effects.

Warns about immediate health risks from current air quality levels.

Standards

Defined by agencies like CPCB under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Uses a scale to categorize air quality into categories like “Good” to “Hazardous.”

Output

Provides permissible pollutant concentration levels (e.g., 60 µg/m³ for PM2.5 annually).

Represents air quality on a scale of 0–500, with higher values indicating worse quality.

Implementation

Used for policymaking, urban planning, and long-term air quality improvement.

Used for public communication and health advisories.

Get all the details about the outcomes of COP 22. 

What is the National Clean Air Programme? 

The NCAP, or National Clean Air Programme, is the flagship programme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to combat air pollution and improve the air quality in cities and towns of India. The NCAP aims to create a national framework for air quality management and monitoring with a specific time-bound target of reducing the coarse and particulate matter concentration in the air. 

At the start of this programme, MOEFCC had taken up a target of reduction in the particulate matter present in the year by 20% in 2024. The base year for comparison was fixed as 2017. However, in 2022 government upgraded the reduction target, and now India will reduce 40% of particulate matter concentration by 2026, keeping 2017 as the base year. 

A committee set up by the Union Environment Ministry will be monitoring the programme at the national level. Similarly, a committee under the chief secretary will be responsible for the implementation of NCAP at the state level. A total of 131 cities which did not attain the standards set up by NAAQS for a period of 5 years are covered under the national clean air programme. The state of Maharashtra has the maximum number of cities covered under NCAP. 

Also, know everything about the Bharat Stage Emission Standards here!

Objectives of NCAP

 The objectives of the NCAP have been discussed below: 

  • To formulate a feasible action plan detailing the steps to be taken for prevention, mitigation and control of air pollution. 
  • Collection of emission norms on a real-time basis and use this data to carry out public outreach efforts so that timely steps can be taken to prevent deterioration in air quality. 
  • To augment the monitoring and tracking mechanisms. This involves the construction of monitoring stations in hitherto uncovered areas for 100% coverage of air quality levels in respective cities and towns. 

Conclusion

NAAQS is one of the most important measures taken by the government to improve the constantly deteriorating air quality in towns and cities. It is an emission standard which has been started after rigorous research, analysis and interpretation carried out by some of the leading institutions in the field. With increased economic activities and precarious levels of air quality in major urban centres, the Union Government is set to revise the NAAQS norms. It will make it more stringent and help in attaining the climate-related reduction targets envisioned by India. 

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National Ambient Air Quality Standards UPSC FAQs

The National Air Quality Index informs the public about the actual levels of air quality and how it affects health.

The national air quality index pollutants include PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃, NH₃, and lead.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is not part of the National Air Quality Index because it is not considered an instantaneous air pollutant.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change publishes the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

National Air Quality Index was developed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) along with IIT Kanpur in 2014.

NAAQS is used for setting the permissible limits for the pollutants on long-term basis while national air quality index AQI is meant to provide the current real-time information about air quality for public awareness.

The Indian National Air Quality Index translates pollutant concentrations into a scale ranging from 0 to 500, with categories such as Good, Moderate, and Hazardous.

The National Air Quality Index India raises awareness of the pollution levels, so citizens can take precautions for their health.
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