Is the air quality good in Kolkata, India?
As of September 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM IST (GMT+5:30), air quality in Kolkata, India, is poor, with AQI exceeding 170, classified as "unhealthy," with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant and ozone also significantly elevated.
Kolkata's annual average PM2.5 concentration was 51 µg/m³ in 2025, exceeding the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ by more than 10 times. Poor air quality is a persistent problem in the city, with conditions remaining unhealthy for most of the year except during the summer and monsoon months.
India's national average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 48.9 µg/m³, equivalent to an AQI of 134, classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and 9.78 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³, placing India sixth globally.
For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Kolkata's air quality map.
Kolkata, India, ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of September 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Kolkata, India, as of September 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Kolkata, India?
AQI is forecast to remain elevated through next week with no significant meteorological relief. October through February historically marks Kolkata's worst months for air quality, as temperature inversions and reduced rainfall trap pollutants near the surface. Lasting improvement requires sustained emission controls across all major pollution sectors.
Hourly air quality forecast for Kolkata, India, as of September 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM (local time). Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Kolkata, India?
The primary sources of air pollution in Kolkata include vehicular emissions at 51.4%, industrial sources at 24.5%, and dust at 21.1% (1). Today's elevated ozone reflects residual photochemical activity as the monsoon withdraws, while secondary PM2.5 from SO₂ and NH₃ reactions originating from three nearby coal power plants further compounds the city's chronic pollution burden.
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
