National Clean Air Programme: Progress, Challenges, and the Need for Targeted Reforms

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in 2019 to reduce air pollution in 131 non-attainment cities. The initial target of 20-30% reduction in PM₁₀ pollution was later increased to 40%, with Rs.19,611 crore allocated for the period of FY 2019-20 to FY 2025-26.