Nearly half of the sanctioned positions within pollution control boards and committees across India remain vacant, raising concerns about the effectiveness of environmental monitoring and enforcement. This shortage occurs as many major cities grapple with the detrimental effects of escalating air pollution.

Data presented to Parliament reveals that of the 6,932 sanctioned scientific and technical posts in the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 28 State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and 8 Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in Union Territories (UTs) and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, 3,161, or 45.6%, are vacant. Specifically, the CPCB has a vacancy rate of 16.3% as of November, while the SPCBs have a rate of 47.6% as of August, and the PCCs stand at 43.8%.

The persistent vacancies, ranging from 44% to 51% over the past five years, highlight a long-standing challenge in maintaining adequate staffing levels. As of March 2025, more than 50% of positions were vacant in 12 of the 28 SPCBs. Sikkim reported a 100% vacancy rate, followed by Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, both exceeding 70%. In contrast, Kerala was the only large state with a vacancy rate below 10%. Among PCCs, Delhi reported a 44.5% vacancy rate, while Ladakh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu faced a 69% shortage. Lakshadweep reported no vacancies, and Chandigarh had a low vacancy rate of 11.1%.

A recent report by the CPCB indicated that nearly half of the 26 state pollution control boards and committees in Union Territories are struggling with severe staff shortages. The report also noted that 10 states and UTs had yet to submit their status updates, even as environmental enforcement responsibilities have expanded significantly. Environmental laws have broadened over the years to address air and water pollution, plastic waste, hazardous waste, biomedical waste, and electronic waste.

The situation in Uttar Pradesh exemplifies the broader trend, where almost half of the sanctioned posts in the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) are vacant. As of August 1, 2025, 355 of the 732 sanctioned posts were vacant. While the UPPCB has sent requisitions to the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission to fill 115 vacant Group C posts, the process is still underway.

In response to these critical shortages, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed authorities to address staffing shortages, taking suo motu cognizance of reports highlighting the issue. Despite these directives, many pollution control boards (PCBs) and pollution control committees (PCCs) continue to operate with significant vacancies.

The Union environment ministry has acknowledged the issue, informing Lok Sabha that nearly 45% of scientific and technical positions in pollution control boards across the country are vacant. As of December 8, 2025, there are 393 sanctioned scientific and technical positions in CPCB, with 64 vacancies, and 6,137 positions in state pollution control boards, with 2,921 vacancies.

The persistent vacancies raise concerns about the ability of pollution control boards to effectively monitor and enforce environmental regulations, particularly as environmental challenges become increasingly complex.