Gajendra Singh Godara
Sep 12, 2025
8
mins read
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is an annual clean air survey conducted under India’s NCAP (National Clean Air Programme) launched by MoEFCC in 2019 to cut particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024 with revised target of 40% reduction in PM10 levels by 2025-26. Cities are ranked on their pollution mitigation efforts, not real-time pollution. The 2025 awards paired this with Ramsar Wetland City recognition - where Indore and Udaipur became the first Indian cities accredited by the Ramsar Convention.
Why in The News?
The Union Environment Minister held the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025 & Wetland Cities Recognition Ceremony 2025 on 09 September 2025. This event under MoEFCC announced the annual clean air rankings (Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan) for 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and also honoured Wetland City Accreditation for urban wetlands.
NCAP, launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, targets a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 pollution by 2024 with a revised target of 40% reduction in PM10 levels by 2025-26.. It mandates 130 identified “non-attainment” cities to prepare action plans via the PRANA portal and implement clean-air measures.
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is a rigorous annual evaluation of these cities. Cities are grouped by population: Category I (>10 lakh), II (3-10 lakh), III (<3 lakh).
The SVS assesses cities on eight key parameters, including road dust mitigation, solid waste management, vehicular and industrial emission control, C&D waste handling, and public awareness, as well as measurable improvements in particulate matter levels.
Top three cities in each category are declared “National Clean Air Cities” and receive cash awards, trophies and certificates.
Table of content
Category I (>10 lakh): Indore topped with 200/200 and ₹1.5 Cr prize. Jabalpur was 2nd (199/200, ₹1Cr), Agra and Surat tied 3rd (196/200, ₹25L each).
Category II (3-10 lakh): Amravati (Maharashtra) scored 200/200 (₹75L). Jhansi and Moradabad (UP) tied 2nd (198.5, ₹25L).
Category III (<3 lakh): Dewas (Madhya Pradesh) was 1st (193/200, ₹37.5L), Parwanoo (Himachal Pradesh) came 2nd (191.5, ₹25L), Angul (Odisha) 3rd (191, ₹12.5L).
PM10 levels went down in 103 out of the 130 cities under NCAP.
Mumbai registered the highest decline of 44% in PM10 level in 2024-25 compared to 2017-18. It was followed by Kolkata (37%), Hyderabad and Bengaluru (26% each), Delhi (15%), and Chennai (12%) among the six big metro cities.
Wetland City Accreditation: Significantly, Indore and Udaipur became the first Indian cities to be accredited as Wetland Cities under the Ramsar Convention. This rare honour (announced Jan 2025) recognizes their exceptional efforts in urban wetland conservation.
Category | Rank | City | Score | Prize (₹) |
Cat I (>10 lakh) | 1 | Indore | 200 | 1.5 Cr |
2 | Jabalpur | 199 | 1.0 Cr | |
3 | Agra, Surat | 196 | 0.25 Cr | |
Cat II (3-10 lakh) | 1 | Amravati | 200 | 0.75 Cr |
2 | Jhansi, Moradabad | 198.5 | 0.25 Cr | |
3 | Alwar | 197.6 | 0.25 Cr | |
Cat III (<3 lakh) | 1 | Dewas | 193 | 0.375 Cr |
2 | Parwanoo | 191.5 | 0.25 Cr | |
3 | Angul | 191 | 0.125 Cr |
Indore’s success stems from integrated urban governance: it combines aggressive greening (planted ~16 lakh saplings) with modern mobility (over 120 e-buses added) and waste-to-energy projects (notably an 11 MW plant in Jabalpur nearby).
Udaipur’s conservation of lakes (Pichola, Fateh Sagar) and urban forests earned its Ramsar recognition. By preventing encroachment and integrating tourism with ecology.
Indore’s triple success (Swachh Bharat cleanest city, Smart City initiatives, and now Swachh Vayu winner) exemplifies how converged programs and local innovation yield gains.
Indore’s model - leveraging Swachh Bharat, Smart City funds, and citizen drives - offers a replicable framework. Its continuous “cleanest city” tag reflects integrated governance: e.g. linking Afforestation with public transport greening.
Udaipur’s Ramsar accreditation sends a message on international standards: safeguarding wetlands can elevate a city’s global profile and enhance climate resilience. Wetlands buffer floods, recharge groundwater, and support biodiversity (e.g. Udaipur’s lakes provide flood management and cultural identity).
Importantly, success hinged on local leadership and community involvement. In many winning cities, municipal bodies worked hand-in-hand with residents - from school tree-plantings to “green wards” committees. Such people-centric approaches, combined with clear targets and data (via the PRANA portal), is a blueprint for policy success.
Strong coordination across sectors (transport, industry, waste, forest) was critical. These governance lessons - multi-stakeholder engagement, data-driven monitoring, and leveraging schemes like AMRUT/Smart Cities.
Despite top performances, air pollution remains a concern. Even leading cities often exceed safe PM10 levels. A recent analysis found that, of the 97 NCAP cities with adequate monitoring, only 41 achieved the 20-30% PM10 reduction target, while 61 still exceeded national standards.
Mid-tier cities must catch up. For instance, Lucknow’s drop to 15th highlighted failures: only ~10% of its vehicle fleet was electric, leading to lost points, and unremediated industrial emissions were penalized. Such cases suggest future focus on EV incentives, stringent industrial audits, and legacy waste clearance.
Funding and institutional issues need addressing: less than 70% of allocated NCAP funds have been utilized.
Strengthening pollution control boards, better waste-to-energy rollout, and ward-level Swachh Vayu plans (now mandated) are needed.
Read related blog on Air Quality Life Index
The Wetland City recognition stems from the Ramsar Convention (1971), a global treaty for wetland conservation. The new Wetland City Accreditation scheme honors cities that protect their urban wetlands. Udaipur and Indore’s inclusion (global list now 74 cities) shows India’s strengthening wetland governance. India itself has 91 Ramsar sites (15.9M ha) - the most in Asia.
Urban wetlands like lakes and ponds are crucial “green infrastructure”: they manage floods, store water, and support wildlife. As noted, lakes act as the environment’s “kidney,” absorbing pollutants and providing climate resilience. Ramsar recognition incentivizes holistic planning - for example, maintaining buffer zones and water quality.
“Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and urban forestry (Nagar Van): Mass tree‑planting and city forests to increase green cover, provide shade, and improve local air quality.
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Public movement to adopt cleaner habits—public transport, carpooling, energy saving, and reduced waste—to lower everyday emissions.
Graded Response Action Plans (GRAP): Seasonal, city-level steps—dust control, construction norms, restricted generators, and traffic curbs—when air quality starts to deteriorate.
Vehicle Scrappage Policy: Encourages phasing out old, polluting vehicles through fitness tests and incentives so cleaner, safer vehicles stay on the road.
Prelims
Q. How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (2018)
The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)
Q. In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: (2020)
The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 µg/m³ and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m³.
In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.
PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2 only
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three megacities of the country but the air pollution is a much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (2015)
Q. What is Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2025?
A. It’s India’s annual clean air survey under NCAP. The 2025 edition ranked 130 cities on air pollution control efforts (tree cover, EVs, waste management, etc.).
Q. Which city won Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Award 2025 Category-I?
A. Indore topped Category-I with a perfect 200/200 score (₹1.5 Cr prize) for its massive greening and clean mobility efforts.
Q. What is Wetland City Recognition under Ramsar Convention?
A. It’s international accreditation for cities that protect urban wetlands. In 2025, Indore and Udaipur became India’s first Ramsar Wetland Cities.
Q. Why is Udaipur significant in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2025?
A. Beyond air rankings, Udaipur earned global fame as an accredited Wetland City (Ramsar), highlighting its protected lakes and eco-friendly urban development.
Q. How is Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan relevant for UPSC aspirants?
A. It covers NCAP, urban pollution control, and Ramsar wetlands - all UPSC topics. Facts (awardees, schemes) help Prelims; governance lessons (integrated policy, citizen participation) aid Mains answers on sustainable development.
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2025 showcased India’s progress in urban air quality management and ecological governance. Indore’s top score and Udaipur’s Ramsar accreditation reflect multi-sector achievements - from massive tree-planting to lake conservation. These cases highlight how policy integration (Swachh Bharat, Smart Cities, NCAP) and citizen action converge to deliver cleaner, sustainable cities. In sum, India’s clean air and wetland awardees exemplify the nexus of effective policy, urban planning, and community stewardship in pursuit of “Clean Air for Every Citizen.”
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