India’s rising air pollution levels have made clean indoor air a growing priority for households and businesses. With increasing exposure to smog, dust, allergens, and indoor pollutants, air purifiers are no longer viewed as optional gadgets but as practical, health-supporting appliances. Urbanisation, dense traffic, industrial activity, and changing lifestyles are further accelerating this shift.
Seasonal spikes in pollution, especially during winter and festive months, heighten the urgency and drive short-term demand. Companies like Kent RO Systems have reported sales rising by 30% to 40% during periods of severe air quality deterioration, highlighting the steady increase in consumer awareness and precautionary behaviour.
Let us find out whether India’s air purifier market is truly entering a strong growth phase and explore the investment opportunities emerging within it.
Current State of India’s Air Purifier Market
The Indian air purifier market has grown from Rs 189 crore in FY19 to Rs 248 crore in FY24 and is expected to reach Rs 564 crore by FY29, growing at a CAGR of around 17.9%.
Market demand is largely concentrated in major cities, with about 75% coming from Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Delhi NCR alone accounts for roughly 40% of demand due to poor air quality caused by pollution from festivals like Diwali and crop burning in neighbouring states.
Demand has now started expanding into tier-2 cities such as Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Karnal, showing that awareness about indoor air quality is spreading across the country.
India’s Air Quality Snapshot
India’s latest CPCB AQI bulletin for November 30, 2025, covering 245 cities, shows that air quality across the country remains largely moderate to poor. Most cities recorded pollution driven by PM2.5 and PM10, with 25 cities falling in the Poor category and six in the ‘Very Poor’ category.
Pollution levels were particularly elevated in northern and central regions, including the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Rajasthan, and Haryana, where PM2.5 dominated more than 80% of Poor and Very Poor cases.
This distribution shows that while some cities maintain good or satisfactory air, the majority fall into moderate levels, reflecting widespread pollution pressures.
Delhi NCR’s AQI Improvement Story
Delhi NCR, often in the spotlight due to its chronic pollution, has shown notable improvement in 2025. The region recorded its lowest average AQI for the January to November period in the past eight years, excluding the lockdown year of 2020.
Delhi’s average AQI for January to November 2025 stood at 187, an improvement compared with previous years, 201 in 2024, 190 in 2023, and 199 in 2022. There has also been a clear reduction in the number of ‘Severe’ days.
Only three days exceeded an AQI of 400 this year, compared with 11 last year and 12 in 2023. Importantly, 2025 did not record a single ‘Severe Plus’ day above an AQI of 450, marking a positive shift in the city’s air quality trend. However, nationwide pollution continues to pose a significant challenge.
Growth Triggers for India’s Air Purifier Market
Rising Urban Air Pollution: Cities like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are witnessing alarmingly high AQI levels due to industrial activity, traffic emissions, stubble burning, and construction dust. Poor outdoor air quality and high indoor pollution levels are driving consumers to adopt air purifiers for homes and offices.
Health Concerns: Increasing respiratory and cardiovascular issues, seasonal smog spikes, and airborne diseases have heightened awareness about air quality. Sales of purifiers often surge during winter and post-festival periods, especially in northern regions.
Awareness: Real-time AQI apps, government advisories, and media coverage have made middle- and upper-class urban households more conscious of PM2.5 risks. The pandemic and work-from-home trends further boosted residential adoption, with parents prioritising children’s health.
Technological Advancements: Innovations such as HEPA filters, UV/ionisers, smart IoT-enabled purifiers, energy-efficient models, and integration with ACs or HVAC systems have improved effectiveness and appeal. Affordable models from brands like Xiaomi and Eureka Forbes are expanding adoption beyond premium segments.
Commercial and Institutional Demand: Corporate wellness programmes, ESG mandates, hospitals, offices, IT parks, schools, and malls are increasingly installing air purifiers. Centralised systems and dust collectors are gaining traction, with commercial demand growing faster than residential demand in some regions.
Urbanisation: The rapid growth of tier-1 and tier-2 cities, rising disposable incomes, and the penetration of e-commerce have made air purifiers more accessible. Northern India continues to lead demand due to chronic smog.
Challenges for India’s Air Purifier Market
High Costs and Maintenance Expenses: Air purifiers remain expensive for many middle-income households. The upfront price, frequent filter replacements, and higher electricity bills from continuous use make them seem like a luxury rather than a necessity.
Awareness and Misconceptions: Awareness about indoor pollution and the benefits of air purifiers is limited outside major metros. Many consumers rely on cheaper alternatives like plants or masks, and a large section of rural and lower-income households remains underserved.
Quality Concerns and Counterfeit Products: Low-quality devices and misleading claims, such as fan-based products sold as purifiers, reduce consumer trust. Counterfeit products also harm the market, prompting stricter BIS monitoring and the potential introduction of mandatory quality standards.
Market Competition and Service Gaps: Competition from HVAC systems in commercial spaces and the lack of standardisation across brands create confusion for buyers. After-sales service remains weak in smaller cities, making it harder for companies to expand beyond metros.
Seasonal and Cyclical Demand: Demand for air purifiers spikes only during specific periods, such as smog-heavy winter months or post-Diwali pollution episodes. This seasonal buying pattern limits consistent growth and affects long-term market predictability.
Stocks to Add to Watchlist
Future of India’s Air Purifier Market
India’s air purifier market is set for steady growth over the next decade. Current estimates show the industry expanding from $1,100 million in 2025 to nearly $1,700–1,800 million by 2030–2033, supported by rising urban pollution, growing health concerns, and better technology.
Standalone room purifiers are expected to witness the fastest momentum, but industrial and commercial purification systems are also set to grow in the coming years. This expansion is closely linked with the wider consumer durables market in India, which is projected to become the fourth-largest globally by FY27.
Industry projections remain optimistic. Markets and data forecasts the Indian air purifier segment to grow at a 12.23% CAGR between FY26 and FY33. However, not everyone is convinced about long-term usage.
*The companies mentioned in the article are for information purposes only. This is not investment advice.
*Disclaimer: Teji Mandi Disclaimer
