Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025, Key Highlights, Purpose and Evaluation

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025 recognize Indian cities for effective air quality management, clean air action plans, and efforts toward sustainable urban living.

Table of Contents

Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) announced the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan awards 2025.

What is Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan?

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is an annual ranking of cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Conducted since 2021, expanded to 130 cities.
Cash Rewards: Linked to ranks and city size (e.g., Indore received ₹1.5 crore).
Integration: Aligned with other government schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart Cities Mission, SATAT, FAME-II, Nagar Van Yojana.

Purpose

To promote healthy competition among cities.
Encourage cities to take expeditious action to improve air quality.
Create accountability and public awareness.

Evaluation

Multi-tiered and rigorous methodology.
Based on indicators like:
- Reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 levels
- Road dust management, waste management, and vehicular pollution control.
- Greening, EV adoption, and C&D waste management.
- Public transport electrification, renewable energy adoption.

Key Highlights of Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards – 2025

11 cities were awarded as best performers for innovative and effective measures in improving air quality.
Indore secured 1st rank (Category-1, population >10 lakh) with a perfect score of 200/200.
Indore & Udaipur recognised as Wetland Cities under the Ramsar Convention.
Launch of Ward-level Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Guidelines to deepen local action.
Release of a Compendium of Best Practices under NCAP.
Progress: 103 out of 130 cities show improved air quality (PM10 reduction).
64 cities achieved 20% PM10 reduction, and 25 cities achieved 40% reduction (2017–2025).
Funding mobilised: ₹1.55 lakh crore (Centre, States & ULBs combined) for clean air initiatives.