Air pollution shaving years off Indian city dwellers' lifespans

Air pollution is cutting years off the lives of Indians living in major cities, according to findings from the 2025 Air Quality Life Index. The research underscores the severe health toll of poor air quality across the country's urban centres.

If air quality in Delhi met World Health Organization standards, residents could gain 8.2 additional years of life expectancy, the study found. Kolkata would see a gain of 4.1 years, followed by Hyderabad at 3.2 years, Mumbai at 3.1 years, Chennai at 2.2 years, and Bangalore at 2.1 years.

The situation in Delhi is particularly dire. According to data from India's Central Pollution Control Board, the capital did not record a single day with good air quality throughout 2024 and into 2025. The consistent poor air quality reflects the persistent challenge the city faces from vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and seasonal agricultural burning in neighbouring states.

The findings add to growing evidence of air pollution's health impacts in India, where poor air quality contributes to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature mortality. Major cities across South Asia continue to grapple with pollution levels that regularly exceed safe international standards, prompting calls for stronger enforcement of emissions controls and cleaner energy adoption.