Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, the ambient noise limits for a SILENCE ZONE (100 metres around hospitals, educational institutions and courts) are:

• A 65 dB by day and 55 dB by night
• B 55 dB by day and 45 dB by night
• C 50 dB by day and 40 dB by night ✓
• D 45 dB by day and 35 dB by night

Explanation

Silence zones carry the strictest limits in the Rules: 50 decibels during the day (6 AM to 10 PM) and 40 decibels at night (10 PM to 6 AM). These correspond to the residential area values minus 10 dB. Residential areas themselves are capped at 55 dB by day and 45 dB by night, while commercial and industrial zones have progressively higher limits. Loudspeakers are prohibited outright in silence zones except with special written permission.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.