Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025-26: Cleanest Cities in India, Winners and Key Highlights

The Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025-26 were presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The 10th edition recognises the best-performing cities in urban sanitation, cleanliness and waste management.

The survey was conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to assess the performance of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and encourage citizen participation in maintaining urban cleanliness.

Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025-26: Key Facts

• Edition: 10th

• Awarded by: President Droupadi Murmu

• Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

• Organising department: Department of Urban Development

• Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

• Cities evaluated: 4,751

• Citizens surveyed: 2.70 crore

• Assessment parameters: 43

• Professional assessors: Over 3,000

• Total national awards: 60

Cleanest Cities in Super Swachh League

Cleanest Cities: Million Plus Population Category

Cleanest Himalayan Cities

Cleanest Swachh Riverfront Towns

Cleanest Coastal Towns

Swachh Shehar Jodi Initiative

The Swachh Shehar Jodi initiative follows the Guru-Shishya model and promotes knowledge-sharing between better-performing cities and other urban local bodies.

Top three city pairs:

The initiative follows the principle of Each One – Teach One to improve urban sanitation through collaboration.

State First Swachh City Award

• Recognises the top 30 performing cities in each state and Union Territory.

• Encourages healthy competition among urban local bodies.

• Union Territories are divided into two groups based on the number of ULBs:

  • UTs with five or fewer ULBs.

  • UTs with more than five ULBs.

Assessment Criteria of Swachh Survekshan 2025-26

The survey evaluated urban local bodies using 43 parameters across 10 major areas.

Key Initiatives and Highlights

1. PRAGATI-50

– Aims to develop 50 model clean cities through technology and monitoring.

2. Swachh Shehar Jodi

• 70 cities were partnered with 191 cities.

• Promotes knowledge-sharing and improved sanitation practices.

3. Swachhata Hi Seva 2026

– Approximately 2.10 crore citizens participated in the cleanliness campaign.

4. Support for SafaiMitras

– Around 17 lakh sanitation workers benefited from more than 33,000 special camps.

5. Gyan Yatras

– Approximately four lakh children benefited from awareness initiatives promoting cleanliness and responsible behaviour.

Improvements under Swachh Bharat Mission since 2014

According to the figures highlighted by Union Minister Manohar Lal:

These improvements highlight the progress made in urban sanitation, waste management and scientific disposal of municipal waste.

Significance of Swachh Survekshan

• Urban Governance: Encourages accountability and better performance among ULBs.

• Waste Management: Promotes segregation, recycling and scientific waste disposal.

• Citizen Participation: Increases public involvement in cleanliness initiatives.

• Environmental Protection: Helps reduce pollution and pressure on landfills.

• Cooperative Federalism: Encourages competition and knowledge-sharing among cities and states.

• Public Health: Improves sanitation and reduces health risks associated with poor waste management.

UPSC Prelims: Important Facts to Remember

1. Swachh Survekshan is conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

2. The first Swachh Survekshan was conducted in 2016.

3. Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on 2 October 2014.

4. The Swachh Shehar Jodi initiative follows the Guru-Shishya model.

5. SafaiMitras are sanitation workers engaged in maintaining urban cleanliness.

6. Scientific waste processing and source segregation are important components of urban solid waste management.

   

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