Previous Year Question
National Clean Air Programme has been launched by Central Government in the year
2018
2017
2020
2019
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on 10 January 2019. It is a long-term, time-bound national strategy for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in India.
A major objective of NCAP is to reduce the levels of Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in cities and strengthen air-quality management. National, State and city-level action plans are prepared under the programme.
Initially, the programme aimed at achieving a 20–30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024, taking 2017 as the base year.
The target was subsequently revised to achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM10 concentration or attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by 2025-26.
Current status: According to Government data released in 2026, NCAP covers 130 cities. In FY 2025-26, 108 cities recorded improvement in PM10 levels, 72 cities achieved reductions above 20%, 26 cities recorded reductions above 40%, and 14 cities met NAAQS.