Press Release: CSTEP reports covering IGP and South Indian states

• Pollution originating from the South Indian states is the lowest in Telangana (38%), followed by Andhra Pradesh (44%) and Karnataka (47%), whereas Kerala (65%) has the highest, followed by Tamil Nadu (61%).
• Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are net contributors, exporting more to neighbouring states than they receive.
• Kerala and Telangana are net receivers, receiving more pollution than they export.
• Karnataka receives and exports moderate amounts of pollution owing to its central location within South India.

• About one-third of PM₅ pollution in the National Capital Region originates from other states in the Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP).
• Local emissions in the IGP are driven primarily by residential activities, followed by industry, agriculture, and transport.

The reports were launched at the India Clean Air Summit 2026. Click here for more details on the event.

Read the full report ‘Governance Framework for Airshed-Level Air Quality Management in South India’ here.

Read the full report ‘Beyond State Boundaries: Quantifying Interstate Air Pollution Transport and Sectoral Solutions in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain’ here.