This Act, consisting of 54 sections divided into seven Chapters, and covering the whole of India, sets provisions with regard to the prevention and management of air pollution. The Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution is constituted with the goal of exercising and performing its powers and functions of the Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution under this Act. The Central Board may be responsible for advising the Central Government of any matters concerning the improvement in quality of air and the prevention, control and fight against air pollution. The Board is responsible for planning national-wide programmes thereof, assisting and guiding State Boards with technical knowledge for the investigation and research within this area. The State board will inspection of of any control equipment, industrial plant or manufacturing process, and air pollution control areas to ensure standard and quality of emissions of air pollutants in the atmosphere caused by industrial plants, vehicles or any other source (excluding ship and aircrafts).

The Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution constituted under section 3 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974), shall, without prejudice to the exercise and performance of its powers and functions under this Act, exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution under this Act. The Act is divided as follows: Preliminary (Chap. I); Central and State Boards for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution (Chap. II); Powers and Functions of Boards (Chap. III); Prevention and Control of Air Pollution (Chap. IV); Fund, Accounts and Audit (Chap. V); Penalties and Procedure (Chap. VI); Miscellaneous (Chap. VII).

Amended by the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (No. 14 of 1981). Clauses (a), (g) and (o) of section 2 of the principal Act are amended and clause (m) is substituted. Sections 3 and 4 of the principal Act are substituted. Sections 5, 7, 14 and 16 of the principal Act are amended. Section 18 is amended to add sub-sections (2), (3) and (4). Sections 21 and 22 of the principal Act are amended. A new section 22A is added after section 22 of the principal Act in respect of restraining persons from causing air pollution. New sections 31A and 33A are added and sections 35, 37, 39 and 43 are substituted. Section 50 and the Schedule to the principal Act are omitted.

Amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (Act No. 18 of 2023). Provides for amendment of various enactments as mentioned in the Schedule thereof.