India dominated the world's most polluted cities ranking following Diwali celebrations on November 8. A staggering 93 Indian cities appeared among the world's 100 most polluted locations.

Since then, air pollution in various cities across the country has been exceedingly above the standard.

On Thursday, Bathinda in Punjab was India's most polluted city with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 1,055, according to data from AQI.in. The city falls in the 'Hazardous' category, with pollution levels recorded at 40 times above the standard.

The latest rankings paint a grim picture of air quality across northern India, with cities in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh dominating the list of the country's 10 most polluted urban centres.

Sirsa in Haryana ranks second with an AQI of 953, followed by Meerut in Uttar Pradesh at 926. Hapur, also in Uttar Pradesh, occupies the fourth position with an AQI of 825, while Bulandshahr ranks fifth at 760.

All 10 cities have been classified under the 'Hazardous' category, with AQI levels ranging from 685 to 1,055, highlighting the severe pollution burden across the region.

Top 10 most polluted cities in India today (according to AQI.in data):

1. Bathinda, Punjab – AQI 1,055 (40 times above standard)

2. Sirsa, Haryana – AQI 953 (37 times above standard)

3. Meerut, Uttar Pradesh – AQI 926 (36 times above standard)

4. Hapur, Uttar Pradesh – AQI 825 (33 times above standard)

5. Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh – AQI 760 (30 times above standard)

6. Faridkot, Punjab – AQI 708 (29 times above standard)

7. Sonipat, Haryana – AQI 704 (29 times above standard)

8. Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh – AQI 700 (28 times above standard)

9. Panipat, Haryana – AQI 687 (28 times above standard)

10. Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh – AQI 685 (28 times above standard)

According to AQI.in data on Thursday morning, the AQI in Delhi stood at 520 and at 156 in Mumbai.

However, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall AQI in Delhi stood at 325 in the 'very poor' category.