Post Diwali 2025, the air quality across the Indian subcontinent has taken a hit, especially in the northern belt of the Gangetic plains. While the national capital, Delhi NCR, once again plunges into a poisonous plume of smog, other metro cities and Tier-2 towns aren’t spared this year as well. The prevailing weather conditions, coupled with firecracker bursting and crop stubble burning, have made it mandatory to take precautions and monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) before venturing out.
While TV news is one way to keep an eye on the AQI levels, your smartphone gets you access to several apps developed by the government and third-party developers. In 2025, we have scanned through the app stores on both iOS and Android to recommend a couple of apps that can help you stay ahead of the unpredictable weather for the upcoming months.
Hence, without further ado, let’s dive into our list of the top AQI monitoring apps to rely on in 2025.
1. Sameer (CPCB – Central Pollution Control Board)
As the official app from India’s Central Pollution Control Board, Sameer remains the gold standard for government-validated data. It pulls real-time AQI readings directly from the CPCB’s extensive network of monitoring stations across the country.
Sameer offers the most reliable data from official sources. It provides a comprehensive breakdown of pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, O3), alongside health advisories. It offers real-time AQI for all major Indian cities, historical data trends, public awareness campaigns, and location-based monitoring.
2. AQI India (by Purelogic Labs)
AQI India is another great app to keep an eye on the rising AQI levels, distinguished by its user-friendly interface and extensive data coverage. It aggregates data from multiple sources, including government stations and its own network of low-cost sensors, providing a highly localised view of air quality.
The app delivers highly granular data, often at a micro-locality level. It’s known for its intuitive design and easy readability of complex pollution metrics. You get all information on Live AQI maps, 7-day forecasts, health recommendations, custom alerts for chosen locations, and pollutant breakdowns. It also integrates weather data for a holistic environmental picture.
3. IQAir AirVisual
The IQAir AirVisual offers a lot of depth and breadth of air quality data, making it a favourite among those who demand a comprehensive international and localised coverage. The app combines satellite data, ground sensors, and meteorological modeling for highly accurate 7-day forecasts. Its 3D world pollution map is unique for visualising global and regional air quality.
The app provides real-time AQI and forecasts for over 500,000 locations worldwide (including a strong presence in India), specific health advice, and data on major pollutants. It also tracks wildfire smoke and pollen levels.
4. Air Quality | AirVisual Lite (by Air Matters)
Air Quality | AirVisual Lite is another strong contender in this space, offering robust data from numerous official stations while going for a simpler presentation. The app offers reliable data with a clean, uncluttered interface. It’s recommended for presenting daily and hourly trends without overwhelming the user.
The app offers real-time AQI, 5-day forecasts, pollutant details, and health recommendations. Its focus on user experience makes it easy to grasp current conditions.
5. Plume Labs: Air Quality App
Now part of AccuWeather, Plume Labs is a powerful tool for assessing pollution in urban India. Its core strength lies in providing hyper-local, street-by-street pollution maps and accurate 72-hour forecasts for key pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2. By fusing data from 12,000+ official stations with AI-powered atmospheric models, traffic, and weather data, the app offers “Clean-Air Coaching” notifications. This feature allows users to make real-time decisions, such as choosing cleaner routes for outdoor activities, effectively reducing their personal pollution exposure.
