Published On:
October 19, 2025
Updated On:
October 19, 2025
Delhi remains among the world’s most polluted capitals, with PM2.5 levels regularly exceeding WHO limits by 15–20 times during winter. Vehicular emissions, construction dust, stubble burning from neighbouring states, and road dust are the biggest contributors.
Delhi remains among the world’s most polluted capitals, with PM2.5 levels regularly exceeding WHO limits by 15–20 times during winter. Vehicular emissions, construction dust, stubble burning from neighbouring states, and road dust are the biggest contributors. Despite seasonal “Graded Response Action Plans” and smog towers, pollution persists — pushing the government to seek fresh, scalable, tech-driven solutions.
In October 2025, the Delhi Government announced a nationwide innovation challenge inviting startups, research institutions & individual innovators to design technology that directly curbs air pollution. The program offers cash rewards up to ₹50 lakh for the most effective prototypes or proven pilots.
The goal: develop solutions that can be implemented city-wide within months, not years.
Eligible innovations may include:
Applications are open through the state’s Department of Environment & Delhi Research Innovation Council (DRIC) portal, with technical evaluation by a joint panel of IIT Delhi, TERI, and CPCB experts. Short-listed ideas will get pilot support and lab validation.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized during the announcement:
“We want every day to be a clean-air day — and innovation will lead the way.”
He added that traditional enforcement has reached limits; the next leap must come from affordable, home-grown technology that can scale across India’s urban centres.
Delhi’s clean-air spending exceeds ₹1,000 crore annually, including EV incentives, smog-control machines, and industrial emission tracking. This call integrates with India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and dovetails with the Centre’s 2025 target to reduce PM2.5 levels by 40 %.
