Environmental Law

Air pollution enforcement in Delhi and the National Capital Region has entered a new phase with stricter implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), expanded powers of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), and significant penalties imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The 2025-2026 winter season saw the activation of GRAP Stage IV measures when Delhi's Air Quality Index crossed the 430 mark, and individual vehicle impoundment actions were ta

On 15 January 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Environmental (Protection) Fund Rules, 2026 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These Rules create a dedicated, non-lapsable fund in the Public Account of India designed to channel money collected through environmental penalties into tangible ecological restoration and pollution control projects. The framework gives operational teeth to the polluter pays principle by ens

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which came into force on April 1, 2026, superseding the earlier Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The new rules were notified on January 28, 2026, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. India generates approximately 160,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, and the 2016 framework had proved inadequate to address the scale of the problem. The 2026

In April 2026, India's National Green Tribunal issued significant orders addressing pollution of the Ganga River by industrial effluents. The NGT, acting on inspection reports documenting violations by industries in Uttar Pradesh, ordered remediation measures and directed regulatory agencies to accelerate sewerage infrastructure. This article explains the legal framework governing industrial water pollution, the NGT's enforcement mechanism, and the intersection of industrial

In April 2026, India's National Green Tribunal (NGT) delivered a significant judgment examining the environmental compliance obligations of major real estate developers. This article explains what the NGT's Dwarka decision means for the real estate sector and how environmental clearances operate under Indian law. The NGT Principal Bench, in OA 137/2025 (Renu Bala vs. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change), investigated allegations that 'The Omaxe State' project

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued revised Civil Aviation Requirements in 2026 that substantially strengthen the rights of airline passengers in India. These rules address long-standing grievances about flight cancellations, delays, denied boarding due to overbooking, and the handling of passenger complaints. The 2026 revisions build on the existing CAR on air transport services and align India's passenger protection framework more closely with international

India's Green Credit Programme, established under the Green Credit Rules, 2023, notified on October 12, 2023, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, creates a market-based mechanism to incentivise environmentally positive activities. Participants who undertake qualifying activities, such as tree plantation, water conservation, or sustainable agriculture, can earn tradable Green Credits. These credits can be bought and sold on a dedicated platform, creating a financial

Introduction Climate change litigation is gaining traction globally, and India is no exception. With increasing awareness of climate...