Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:43pm on 26 Aug 2026,Wednesday Weather & Environment
India has ranked 176th among 177 countries in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), remaining just above Laos despite a 7.47-point improvement over the past decade. The index, developed by Yale and Columbia researchers, assesses 47 indicators across 12 categories covering Ecosystem Vitality, Climate Change and Environmental Health. India ranks particularly poorly in Environmental Health at 174th, with worsening air quality remaining a major concern despite initiatives such as the National Clean Air Programme. The country also ranks 171st in Ecosystem Vitality, reflecting pressure on forests, biodiversity and natural ecosystems from infrastructure, mining and urban expansion. The assessment suggests India's modest improvement does not indicate a broader environmental turnaround. (PC: PTI)
