Top-10 Indian Cities with the Best AQI 2025, Check the List

In 2025, many Indian cities have shown remarkable progress in improving air quality, creating cleaner and healthier surroundings for people. Through strict pollution control, green initiatives, and eco-friendly practices, these cities have managed to reduce harmful emissions. The improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI) highlights their success. By balancing growth with environmental care, these cities have become inspiring examples of how urban areas can move toward a sustainable and healthy future.

Indian City with the Best AQI 2025

Tirunelveli, a city in Tamil Nadu, holds the top spot for the best air quality in India in 2025, with an impressive AQI of 33. The city’s low pollution levels are mainly due to the reduction in PM10 particles, a prominent pollutant. Tirunelveli’s commitment to environmental conservation, combined with its lush green surroundings, ensures that the air remains clean and fresh, offering a healthy living environment for its residents.

Top-10 Indian Cities with the Best AQI 2025

Tirunelveli, a city in Tamil Nadu, ranks first for the best air quality in India in 2025, with a remarkable AQI of 33, followed by Naharlagun, Madikeri and Vijayapura.

Here is the list of top-10 Indian cities with the best AQI 2025:

Rank	Indian City	State	AQI	Prominent Pollutant
1.	Tirunelveli	Tamil Nadu	33	PM10
2.	Naharlagun	Arunachal Pradesh	43	PM10
3.	Madikeri	Karnataka	44	PM2.5
4.	Vijayapura	Karnataka	47	PM10
5.	Thanjavur	Tamil Nadu	55	PM2.5
6.	Koppal	Karnataka	55	PM2.5
7.	Varanasi	Uttar Pradesh	55	PM2.5, PM10
8.	Hubballi	Karnataka	56	PM2.5, CO
9.	Kannur	Kerala	56	PM10
10.	Chhal	Chhattisgarh	56	PM10

An Overview of AQI

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used by government agencies to show how polluted the air is or might become. As pollution increases, the AQI rises, indicating higher healthier risks. People with respiratory or heart conditions, along with children and the elderly, are more affected. When AQI is high, it is advised to limit outdoor activities and use masks or air purifiers, especially during events like wildfires.

Categories of AQI

The National Air Quality Index (AQI) uses six categories to describe air quality and its health effects:

• 0-50: Good/safe
• 51-100: Satisfactory
• 101-200: Moderately polluted
• 201-300: Poor
• 301-400: Very poor
• 401-500: Severe