Cleanest Cities in India 2025: Pune Tops Air Quality Index List with AQI of 51

India continues to battle severe air pollution across many urban centers, but a few cities have emerged as clean air leaders in 2025, maintaining Air Quality Index (AQI) readings within the ‘Satisfactory’ range.

According to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) rankings for 2025, Pune has topped the list of cleanest cities in India, recording an AQI of 51, which falls in the Satisfactory category (51–100). This makes Pune the city with the best air quality among major Indian metros.

Pune’s relatively clean air is credited to:

• Its geographical advantage, being close to the Western Ghats, which ensures better wind circulation.
• Effective civic management, including waste segregation and public transport expansion.
• Environmental initiatives such as green corridors and emission control programs.

🌿 Top 10 Cleanest Cities in India by Air Quality Index (2025)

These readings reflect that while air quality in these cities is not perfect, it remains acceptable for most individuals and significantly better than in northern metros such as Delhi, where AQI often reaches “Severe” levels.

🌍 Other Key Highlights

• Indore, though 10th on this AQI list, continues to be recognized as India’s cleanest city overall for its sanitation and waste management efforts under the Swachh Survekshan 2025 rankings.
• New Delhi remains India’s most polluted city, with AQI frequently crossing 350 during winter.
• Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) is noted as one of India’s cities with the best air quality, often recording AQI in the Good category (0–50).

🧭 Why This Matters

India’s AQI rankings serve as a crucial indicator of urban sustainability and public health. Clean air cities like Pune and Nashik set examples for balancing growth with eco-conscious planning — through public transport systems, industrial emission checks, and urban greenery.