Meghalaya and Mizoram have emerged prominently in the latest World Health Organization (WHO) air-quality data for India. Four of the five Indian locations with the lowest reported annual average PM2.5 concentrations are located in these two northeastern states.
The figures come from the WHO Ambient Air Quality Database Version 8.0, which was released in June 2026. The database compiles ground-level measurements of annual average concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and nitrogen dioxide from thousands of settlements worldwide.
However, the figures need some context. The reported measurements for the five Indian locations date back to 2021. Therefore, they should not be treated as current 2026 air-quality readings.
Lunglei and Tura Record Lowest Levels
Lunglei in Mizoram and Tura in Meghalaya recorded the lowest reported annual average PM2.5 concentration among the Indian locations listed in the WHO database.
Both towns recorded an annual average of 6 micrograms per cubic metre in the available data. The figure places the two northeastern towns at the top of the Indian dataset for the lowest reported PM2.5 levels.
Lunglei serves as the headquarters of Mizoram’s Lunglei district. The town sits in a largely hilly region in southern Mizoram.
Tura, meanwhile, serves as the headquarters of Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district. The town lies near the Tura Range and forms an important urban centre in western Meghalaya.
Nongstoin Records 7 Micrograms
Nongstoin in Meghalaya recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 7 micrograms per cubic metre.
The town serves as the headquarters of West Khasi Hills district. Its position on the list further highlights the presence of Meghalaya locations among India’s lowest reported annual PM2.5 measurements.
The result also places three Meghalaya locations among the five Indian settlements highlighted in the dataset.
Dawki and Kolasib Record 8 Micrograms
Two more northeastern locations recorded annual average PM2.5 concentrations of 8 micrograms per cubic metre.
Dawki in Meghalaya recorded this level in the WHO dataset. The town lies close to the Bangladesh border and is known for the Umngot River and its surrounding landscape.
Kolasib in Mizoram also recorded an annual average of 8 micrograms per cubic metre. The town lies in northern Mizoram near the Assam border.
As a result, four of the five Indian locations with the lowest reported annual PM2.5 concentrations come from Meghalaya and Mizoram.
What Does PM2.5 Mean?
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. These particles can come from several sources, including fossil-fuel combustion and other human activities.
The WHO uses annual average PM2.5 concentration as an important measure of air pollution. Its air-quality database collects measurements designed to represent air quality across cities and towns rather than readings from individual monitoring stations alone.
Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter can have serious health consequences. Therefore, monitoring PM2.5 levels remains important for public health planning.
WHO Data Covers Thousands of Settlements
The latest WHO database contains information from 8,023 human settlements across 127 countries and territories. It covers measurements from the period between 2010 and 2024, although individual locations may have data from different years.
The organisation collects information from official national and subnational datasets, government reports and other recognised sources.
At the same time, WHO warns that the database has limitations. Monitoring coverage varies considerably between countries and locations. Measurement methods and data quality can also differ.
Therefore, comparisons between individual locations require caution.
Northeast Features Prominently in the Data
The concentration of low PM2.5 readings in Meghalaya and Mizoram stands out in the Indian data.
Several factors can influence annual air pollution levels. These include local emissions, transport activity, industrial development, fuel use, weather conditions and topography.
The available WHO figures alone, however, do not establish that the hilly terrain or forest cover of Meghalaya and Mizoram directly caused the lower readings.
Moreover, a low annual average does not mean that a location experiences clean air throughout the year. Short-term pollution episodes can still occur even when the annual average remains relatively low.
Data Should Not Be Called a Current Ranking
The WHO data provides useful information about reported annual PM2.5 measurements. However, it does not represent an official 2026 ranking of India’s cleanest cities or towns.
The five lowest Indian readings highlighted in the latest dataset all come from 2021. This distinction matters because air-quality conditions can change over time.
Changes in traffic, construction, industrial activity, weather patterns and local emissions can influence air pollution levels from one year to another.
Consequently, the WHO figures offer a historical snapshot rather than a real-time assessment of air quality in Meghalaya and Mizoram.
Meghalaya and Mizoram Gain Recognition
Despite the limitations, the latest WHO database highlights the relatively low annual PM2.5 measurements reported from several locations in Meghalaya and Mizoram.
Tura and Lunglei recorded 6 micrograms per cubic metre. Nongstoin followed with 7 micrograms, while Dawki and Kolasib recorded 8 micrograms.
The figures have placed the two northeastern states prominently in discussions about India’s air-quality landscape.
At the same time, continued monitoring will remain important. Regular and reliable measurements can help authorities understand long-term trends and identify changes in air pollution.
The latest WHO data therefore offers an important snapshot of air quality in parts of Northeast India while also highlighting the need for broader monitoring and careful interpretation of air-quality comparisons.