Bhubaneswar, March 25 -- Delhi has been ranked the world's fourth most polluted city in 2025 and continues to be the most polluted capital globally, according to the IQAir World Air Quality Report. The city recorded an annual average PM2.5 level of 99.6 micrograms per cubic meter-nearly 20 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended limit.

India also featured prominently in the global rankings, accounting for three of the five most polluted cities and 29 among the top 50.

The report identified Loni in Uttar Pradesh as the most polluted city worldwide, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter, followed by Hotan in China and Byrnihat in Meghalaya. Notably, the 25 most polluted cities global...