The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), along with Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in Union Territories, play a central role in protecting environmental quality and safeguarding public health in India. Their functions are particularly important in healthcare waste management because improperly handled healthcare waste can contain infectious materials, toxic chemicals, sharps, pharmaceuticals and other hazardous substances. The activities of these institutions are governed mainly by the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, including the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Central Pollution Control Board is a statutory organisation functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was established under the Water Act, 1974 and was subsequently entrusted with responsibilities under the Air Act and other environmental laws. CPCB provides technical guidance, develops standards and coordinates the activities of State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. It therefore has an important coordinating and supervisory role in implementing environmental protection programmes throughout the country. One of the major responsibilities of CPCB is to promote cleanliness of streams and wells and to improve the quality of air. It conducts and supports environmental monitoring, collects information about pollution levels and develops programmes for preventing and controlling pollution. It establishes or recommends environmental standards for emissions, effluents and waste management and provides technical guidance to regulatory authorities and industries. In relation to healthcare waste, CPCB has a particularly important role under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. It develops guidelines and technical protocols for the safe handling, treatment, transportation and disposal of biomedical waste. These guidelines help healthcare establishments and common biomedical waste treatment and disposal facilities understand the requirements relating to segregation, collection, storage, treatment and final disposal of different categories of healthcare waste. CPCB also coordinates the implementation of biomedical waste management requirements by State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. It may conduct inspections, collect information and assess compliance with applicable environmental requirements. It also provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to state-level authorities and healthcare institutions. Another important function is the development and dissemination of technical guidelines. Healthcare waste involves risks that differ according to the type of waste. Used needles and blades may cause injuries and infections, while pathological waste can contain infectious agents. Expired medicines, laboratory chemicals and certain contaminated materials can create chemical or toxic hazards. CPCB's technical guidance helps establish appropriate procedures for dealing with these risks. CPCB also has an important role in monitoring common biomedical waste treatment facilities. These facilities collect biomedical waste from several healthcare