India’s key environmental monitoring and enforcement bodies are critically understaffed, with nearly 45% of all scientific and technical positions across the country’s pollution control boards currently vacant, the Union Environment Ministry informed the Lok Sabha on December 8.
The data was provided by Minister of State (MoS) for Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in response to questions raised by CPI(M) MP Rathnavel Sachithanantham.
Key Vacancy Statistics
The severe shortage affects both the central and state-level organizations responsible for monitoring air and water quality.
| Organization | Total Sanctioned Posts | Total Vacant Posts | Vacancy Percentage |
| State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) | 6,137 | 2,921 | $\approx 47.6\%$ |
| Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) | 402 | 176 | $\approx 43.8\%$ |
| Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) | 393 | 64 | $16.28\%$ |
| Total (All Combined) | 6,932 | 3,161 | $\approx 45.6\%$ |
Accountability and Concerns
The massive vacancy rate in SPCBs and PCCs is particularly concerning given their role as the “primary line of defense for environmental monitoring and enforcement,” according to the questioning MP.
- Minister’s Stance: The MoS clarified that the responsibility for filling vacancies in the State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs/PCCs) rests with the concerned State Governments or UT Administrations. He stated that these boards are under the administrative control of their respective governments.
- Expert Warnings: Experts have previously flagged this capacity crunch, stressing that the lack of adequate scientific staff hinders the monitoring of various infrastructure and industry projects to ensure compliance with environmental and forest clearance conditions.
The revelation of these staff shortages comes at a critical time when the Delhi-NCR region is actively grappling with severe air pollution, underscoring the vital need for fully staffed enforcement agencies.