India’s air pollution challenge has found an inventive answer through Chakr Innovation, a cleantech startup founded by IIT-Delhi alumni to tackle diesel generator emissions at the source. Their flagship product, Chakr Shield, is India’s first CPCB-approved Retrofit Emission Control Device designed to fit onto diesel generators and capture up to 90 % of harmful particulate emissions that would otherwise pollute the air.

The technology doesn’t just reduce smog — it repurposes it. The captured black carbon soot is processed and transformed into high-quality ink and paint pigments, creating an innovative circular-economy solution that turns waste into value. This approach boosts compliance with strict environmental norms under the National Clean Air Programme and helps industries avoid penalties while contributing to healthier urban air.

Founded in 2016 by graduates driven by personal experiences with pollution, Chakr Innovation has grown from a research idea into a practical product used across multiple Indian cities. The startup’s work shows how smart engineering and sustainability can intersect — turning a major source of pollution into usable raw material and strengthening India’s efforts toward cleaner air for communities nationwide.