Indore, a city consistently lauded for its sanitation and environmental management, has lost its first-place ranking in a national clean air survey. The city fell from the top spot by a margin of a single point.

Local leadership has responded to the shift in rankings by pointing to technical factors. The Mayor of Indore specifically identified PM10—particulate matter 10 micrometers or smaller in diameter—as the primary cause for the decline in the city's score. While the city has maintained a reputation for cleanliness, this survey highlights the ongoing challenges municipal authorities face in managing air quality standards alongside waste management initiatives. The report indicates that even minor fluctuations in air quality metrics can significantly impact a city's standing in national assessments, regardless of its broader environmental track record.