The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory organization and the apex technical body in India for pollution control, operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It was formally constituted on September 22, 1974, under Section 3 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The CPCB was created to promote the cleanliness of streams and wells and to prevent, control, and abate water pollution across the country.
The CPCB's mandate expanded when it was entrusted with powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Its role was further broadened by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which serves as an umbrella framework and allows the CPCB to provide technical services to the Ministry. The CPCB works by setting national standards, such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and developing guidelines for industry-specific emissions and effluents. A key mechanism is its role in coordinating the activities of the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and resolving disputes among them. The CPCB also has the power to issue directions under Section 33A of the Water Act, 1974, to direct the closure or regulation of any industry.
Recently, the CPCB's role has been central to implementing new waste management frameworks, such as the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, and the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026. Under these amendments, the CPCB manages the centralized online portal for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), tracking the waste lifecycle and ensuring compliance from Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs). This shift has tightened accountability and introduced mandatory use of recycled plastic in packaging, with targets for Category I rigid plastic packaging set to reach 60% by 2028-29. The CPCB also connects to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which often relies on CPCB data for its environmental justice pronouncements.