India Ranked 176/177 in EPI 2026, Air Quality Worst Indicator; Over 20 Lakh Deaths Linked to Air Pollution

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India ranked 176 out of 177 countries in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), published by Yale and Columbia Universities, with air quality being its worst indicator at rank 175. The index assesses 47 indicators across 12 issue categories. The State of Global Air 2025 report estimated that over 20 lakh deaths in India in 2023 could be attributed to air pollution.

The contrast between India's rank 88 on air pollution and rank 175 on air quality illustrates a key gap: controlling select emissions does not necessarily improve the ambient air people breathe. A 2012 Central Pollution Control Board assessment found lower lung function in 43.5% of Delhi schoolchildren compared to 25.7% of children in a control group. Cleaner industrial processes, clean cooking, and better waste management can reduce emissions while supporting development priorities such as efficiency, health, and urban services.

What is the Environmental Performance Index?

The Environmental Performance Index is a biennial ranking of countries on environmental health and ecosystem vitality, first published in 2006 by Yale and Columbia Universities. It evolved from the earlier Environmental Sustainability Index, which was produced from 2000 to 2005. The EPI uses indicators such as air quality, sanitation, biodiversity, and climate change to score countries. India has generally ranked in the bottom tier of the EPI since its inception.

What is the Environmental Performance Index?

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a biennial index published by Yale and Columbia Universities that ranks countries on environmental health and ecosystem vitality using 47 indicators across 12 issue categories. India has consistently ranked poorly on global environmental indices. The 2026 edition places India near the very bottom, with air quality being the most critical failing.

What has the index achieved and missed?

The index highlights that India performs better on controlling specific emissions (rank 88 on air pollution) than on achieving breathable ambient air quality (rank 175 on air quality). This gap suggests that emission-control policies have not translated into cleaner air for citizens. The health burden is severe: over 20 lakh deaths in 2023 and a 2012 CPCB study showing 43.5% of Delhi schoolchildren with lower lung function. Economic growth and pollution control need not conflict if interventions target development priorities such as cleaner industrial processes, clean cooking under PM Ujjwala Yojana, and better waste management to curb open burning.