Air Pollution Union Budget 2026-27 cuts pollution control to ₹1,091 crore (down ₹209 crore from last year’s RE), with CAQM down ~10%. Explore effects on Delhi air quality, NCAP, expert views, health risks, and why this matters for India’s pollution fight. Last Updated: Delhi air pollution on February 2, 2026, was 318 AQI.
Living in Delhi, I’ve seen firsthand how toxic winter smog turns daily life into a health hazard—schools shut, flights delayed, hospitals overwhelmed with respiratory cases. Yet the Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2026, delivers a setback: key pollution control funding has been reduced, even as Delhi-NCR grapples with hazardous AQI levels (often 200-320+ in recent days, with PM2.5 exceeding 150-200 µg/m³—far above WHO safe limits).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) overall gets ₹3,759.46 crore (up ~8-10% from 2025-26 BE), but the flagship “Control of Pollution” scheme—funding NCAP, pollution boards, monitoring, and abatement—drops to ₹1,091 crore from ₹1,300 crore (RE 2025-26). Specific bodies like the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) face ~10% cuts.
This detailed breakdown examines the numbers, gaps vs. priorities (e.g., wildlife funding rises), expert reactions, public health/economic tolls, and realistic paths forward.
India’s Ongoing Air Pollution Emergency
Air pollution kills over 1.6-2 million Indians yearly (Lancet, WHO estimates), with northern cities like Delhi routinely breaching safe limits. Delhi saw only ~79 “good/satisfactory” AQI days in 2025, per CAQM data, with peaks in winter due to stubble burning, vehicles, construction, and weather traps.
NCAP (2019) targets 20-30% PM reduction in 82+ non-attainment cities (extended timelines), but progress lags from funding, coordination, and enforcement shortfalls. Amid recurring GRAP stages (even Stage IV restrictions), reduced federal support risks stalling city action plans and monitoring expansion.
Air Pollution Union Budget: Detailed Budget Allocation Breakdown
Key pollution-related figures (cross-verified from Budget docs and media):
- Control of Pollution Scheme (covers NCAP, SPCBs/PCCs, CPCB support, CAAQMS expansion, noise/river monitoring): ₹1,091 crore (BE 2026-27) vs. ₹1,300 crore (RE 2025-26) — down ~16% or ₹209 crore. Original BE 2025-26 was ~₹854 crore, later hiked but under-spent historically (e.g., just ₹16 crore actual in 2024-25 per some reports).
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) (NCR-focused coordination/enforcement): ₹35.26 crore (down from ₹38.98 crore BE 2025-26; up from ₹31.26 crore RE).
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) (national monitoring/enforcement): ₹123 crore (marginal dip from BE 2025-26; up from ₹116 crore RE).
Comparison Table: Pollution-Related Allocations
| Scheme/Entity | 2025-26 BE (₹ crore) | 2025-26 RE (₹ crore) | 2026-27 BE (₹ crore) | Change from RE (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Pollution (Overall) | ~854 | 1,300 | 1,091 | -16% |
| CAQM | 38.98 | 31.26 | 35.26 | +13% (but -10% from BE) |
| CPCB | ~126 | 116 | 123 | +6% |
| MoEFCC Overall | 3,481.61 | N/A | 3,759.46 | +8-10% |
(Note: Wildlife efforts like Project Tiger/Elephant rise to ₹290 crore; Green India Mission to ₹212.50 crore—priorities shifted elsewhere.)
Expert Opinions & Criticisms
Environmental voices are vocal:
- Climate activist Licypria Kangujam: “Very disappointed… allocate only ₹1,091 crore to pollution control, down from ₹1,300 crore last year. Ignoring a public health emergency will only worsen the crisis.”
- Dr. Shailly Kedia (TERI Director): Highlights “overutilisation” in pollution but underfunding in core ecology; calls for better capacity and outcome-linked budgeting.
- Sunil Dahiya & others (via analyses): No dedicated NCR boost despite emergencies; cuts weaken NCAP enforcement and monitoring amid rising emissions.
Critics note fiscal reprioritisation (e.g., infrastructure, clean energy indirect aids) but argue immediate abatement needs more, not less.
Health & Economic Impacts
Pollution costs India billions annually (~$36+ billion pre-2020 World Bank; higher now) via healthcare, lost workdays, and reduced productivity. In Delhi-NCR, vulnerable groups (children, elderly) face rising asthma/COPD; long-term risks include heart disease, cancer.
Cuts risk slowing CAAQMS growth (target: add 1,000+ stations), regional mitigation, and GRAP enforcement—exacerbating winter crises.
Future Trends & Recommendations
Positives: Renewables push indirectly helps; plans for more monitors and clean tech (e.g., CCUS in industry).
Gaps: Recently no new airshed approach (beyond city NCAP), heavy EV incentives for trucks, or stubble solutions.
Actionable steps:
- Restore/increase NCAP/CAQM funds for targeted source control.
- Adopt transboundary airshed management (e.g., Punjab-Haryana-Delhi coordination).
- Tie budgets to measurable AQI improvements.
- Encourage PPPs for low-cost sensors and community monitoring.
- Boost state-level pollution boards via central grants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why the pollution control cut in Budget 2026-27?
A: Official reasons unclear—possibly fiscal constraints or reprioritisation. Critics see it as overlooking the health crisis.
Q: How does this hit Delhi-NCR air quality?
A: Reduced CAQM/NCAP support may slow GRAP enforcement, stubble mitigation, and monitoring—worsening severe AQI episodes.
Q: Is the MoEFCC budget up overall?
A: Yes (~8-10%), but skewed toward wildlife/forests, not pollution abatement.
Q: What’s NCAP’s main goal?
A: 20-30% PM reduction in non-attainment cities via tailored action plans (implementation challenged by funding).
Conclusion
The Budget 2026-27’s pollution funding dip—despite MoEFCC gains—feels mis-matched with India’s air crisis, especially in Delhi, where smog remains a daily reality. Long-term clean energy helps, but short-term abatement demands urgent resources. Balancing priorities while protecting public health is essential.
Written by Siddharth,a Delhi-based environmental journalist covering policy, air quality, and climate issues. Last updated: February 2, 2026. Sources: Official Union Budget documents (india.gov.in), Down To Earth, Times of India, India Today, NDTV, Business Today, TERI analyses, CAQM data, WHO/Lancet studies.
I’am Siddharth a Air pollution analysts are environmental expert who collect, analyze, and interpret air quality data to identify pollutant sources & develop solutions for reducing atmospheric contamination.