Varanasi air quality · Uttar Pradesh, India
Crop burning season can push the AQI from moderate to severe in a day
NAQI 124 (Moderate) in Varanasi, from 4 CPCB monitoring stations. On the US scale that is 136 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
Updated
Pollutants in Varanasi
- PM2.5 · µg/m³49.93.3× WHO limit
- PM10 · µg/m³1353.0× WHO limit
- NO₂ · µg/m³13.1Under WHO limit
- O₃ · µg/m³9.2
- SO₂ · µg/m³18.2Under WHO limit
- CO · mg/m³0.32
Concentrations averaged across the city's stations. WHO multiples use the 2021 24-hour guidelines.
Is it safe outside in Varanasi right now?
May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma, and discomfort to people with heart disease, children and older adults.
Walking and commuting
Go aheadFine for most people; sensitive groups keep it shorter.
Running and jogging
LimitSensitive groups move indoors. Others take more breaks and shorten the run.
Cycling
Take carePrefer routes away from heavy traffic; sensitive groups ride shorter.
Children playing outside
Take careChildren with asthma should take breaks and keep reliever inhalers handy.
Older adults and heart or lung conditions
LimitReduce long or heavy exertion outdoors and keep medicines close.
Open windows
Take careVentilate briefly, ideally when the reading is lowest.
Mask outdoors
OptionalSensitive groups may wear an N95 or FFP2 mask for long trips.
Air purifier indoors
OptionalUseful for sensitive people, especially at night.
Based on the US EPA Air Quality Guide, applied to the current NAQI category. If you have symptoms, follow your doctor's advice.
What US AQI 101–150 means for your health →
Air quality by area in Varanasi
4 stations, worst first- BhelupurPoor224
- MaldahiyaModerate114
- IESD Banaras Hindu UniversitySatisfactory90
- Ardhali BazarSatisfactory85
Varanasi air quality history
Daily average, 37 days- 85average daily NAQI over 37 days
- 153worst day, 13 October
- 27cleanest day, 24 September
- 0days at Poor or worse
The last 7 days averaged 118, worse than the week before (80). 4 of the last 37 days were Good.
Weather in Varanasi
25°C Haze · Humidity 74% · Wind 4 km/h
| Day | Forecast | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19 | Mainly Clear sky | 32° | 20° |
| Tue 20 | Mainly Clear sky | 32° | 20° |
| Wed 21 | Mainly Clear sky | 32° | 20° |
| Thu 22 | Clear sky | 32° | 20° |
| Fri 23 | Clear sky | 32° | 20° |
| Sat 24 | Clear sky | 33° | 21° |
| Sun 25 | Clear sky | 33° | 21° |
India Meteorological Department (IMD) city forecast, issued 19 October 2026. All IMD warnings →
Nearby cities
India rankingAll 16 cities in Uttar Pradesh →
Related reading
Varanasi air quality: common questions
What is the AQI in Varanasi right now?
The NAQI in Varanasi is 124 (Moderate), based on 4 monitoring stations. On the US AQI scale the same air reads 136 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
Is it safe to go outside in Varanasi today?
Sensitive groups should take it easy. May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma, and discomfort to people with heart disease, children and older adults. For runners: Sensitive groups move indoors. Others take more breaks and shorten the run.
Which area of Varanasi has the worst air right now?
Bhelupur has the highest reading at 224 (Poor). Ardhali Bazar has the lowest at 85, out of 4 stations reporting.
How has air quality in Varanasi been recently?
Over the last 37 days with data, Varanasi averaged NAQI 85. The worst day was 13 October at 153; the cleanest was 24 September at 27. 0 days were at Poor or worse.
How does Varanasi's PM2.5 compare with the WHO guideline?
PM2.5 is 50 µg/m³, about 3.3 times the World Health Organization's 24-hour guideline of 15 µg/m³.
Where does Varanasi's air quality data come from?
From State & Central Pollution Control Board, Government of India · Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) · Aurassure's University Clean Air Network, using 4 monitoring stations in and around the city. Good Air does not estimate or adjust these readings.
Source: State & Central Pollution Control Board, Government of India · Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) · Aurassure's University Clean Air Network. Readings are published by the monitoring agency and may be revised.