Delhi student, Krish Aggarwal, wins Diana Award 2026 for low-cost filter that turns ordinary fans into air purifiers

An Indian teenager has won the 2026 Diana Award for developing an affordable air filtration system that turns ordinary classroom fans into air purifiers, an initiative said to benefit more than 10,000 students in Delhi.

Krish Aggarwal, a student at Sanskriti School in New Delhi, was named among the awardees for his work on Project Vayu, an initiative to tackle indoor air pollution in schools.

According to the official Diana Award website, the project distributed air filters to underprivileged schools in Delhi and reached more than 10,000 students.

Aggarwal co-founded Project Vayu with classmate Samarth Meattle to offer schools a cheaper alternative to commercial air purifiers.

How does Project Vayu’s air filtration system work?

According to the Project Vayu website, the initiative has developed a filter that can be attached to existing fans in the classroom. The system does not require additional equipment or technical knowledge to operate.

The filter uses electrostatically charged fibers to trap fine particles, including PM2.5, that can enter classrooms from polluted outdoor air.

When the fan is on, the filter expands into a balloon-like structure, increasing its filtering surface while allowing air to pass through.

Each filter costs approx ₹140 for production and is distributed to schools for free. The team also provides replacement filters every month.

The Vayu project says that tests conducted in a closed room have seen PM2.5 concentrations drop by more than 90% within one hour. The measured concentration dropped from 158 micrograms per cubic meter to 11 micrograms per cubic meter.

Project Vayu has reached more than 10,000 students

The initiative’s initial program included 295 classrooms in Delhi. During this phase, 602 filters were produced, reaching approximately 8,000 students.

The project has since been used by more than 10,000 students, according to the Diana Prize.

The team now plans to expand its presence to 45 more schools in New Delhi.

In addition to developing affordable filtration technology, Aggarwal has advocated for evidence-based environmental solutions and greater youth participation in climate action.

What is the Diana Prize?

The Diana Award, founded in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, recognizes young people from around the world for their social action and humanitarian work.

The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to improving lives and bringing about positive change in their communities.