<p>Crop residue burning (CRB) remains a significant contributor to air pollution in India, particularly in agricultural regions such as Haryana and Punjab. Despite various policy interventions, open-field burning of paddy straw continues to worsen air quality, posing substantial risks to public health and the environment. This study aims to quantify the impact of CRB on air quality in Kaithal, Haryana, a known hotspot for paddy straw burning, by analyzing the concentrations of particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) present during the burning and non-burning periods. Data were collected from continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations, satellite imagery, and meteorological parameters. Statistical analysis using Pearson’s correlation revealed a significant positive relationship between PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ (r = 0.944, p &lt; 0.01) and between PM_2.5 and NO_x (r = 0.611, p &lt; 0.01), indicating that CRB contributes significantly to both particulate and gaseous pollution. During the burning period, the PM_2.5 level increased by 149%, and the PM₁₀ level increased by 134%, both of which exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The study also revealed a substantial increase in VOCs, particularly benzene (314.92% increase), indicating harmful emissions from biomass burning. These findings reveal critical policy gaps, including insufficient enforcement, lack of infrastructure, and financial constraints for farmers. This study recommends strengthening policy enforcement, increasing subsidies for sustainable residue management technologies, and investing in infrastructure for residue collection and processing to mitigate air pollution and protect public health.</p>