The Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 rankings have once again brought into light India’s leading urban sanitation performers. Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai secured the top three positions in the newly introduced Super Swachh League. The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. This year’s survey featured a simplified and inclusive framework enabling cities of all sizes to compete fairly.
Top Cities and New Initiatives
Indore topped the list, followed by Surat and Navi Mumbai. Vijayawada was fourth. Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow emerged as the new generation of clean cities. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) introduced the Super Swachh League to reward sustained excellence. The Swachh City Partnership initiative was launched, pairing top-performing cities with underperforming ones for mentorship.
Recognition Beyond Cities
Awards extended beyond cities to cantonments and institutions. Secunderabad Cantonment Board was honoured for sanitation efforts. Prayagraj was named Best Ganga Town. Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, and Gorakhpur received awards for prioritising the safety and dignity of sanitation workers under the SafaiMitra Surakshit Shehar programme.
Waste Management and Circular Economy
President Murmu emphasised the Waste is Best theme, promoting the 3R principles – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. She brought into light circular economy’s role in creating green jobs and empowering youth. Special mention was made of schools, startups, and zero-waste colonies contributing to cleaner urban environments.
Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation Programme
MoHUA announced a year-long programme starting August 15 to clear legacy waste at dumpsites. This initiative aims to unlock urban land and enhance scientific waste processing. It aligns with India’s broader vision of sustainable urban development and the Swachh Bharat Mission’s decade-long journey.
Inclusive and Data-Driven Survey Framework
The revamped survey includes 10 new parameters and categorises cities into five population groups. This makes the competition more inclusive and performance-oriented. The launch of the Swachh Survekshan Results Dashboard provides real-time data on rankings and key indicators, increasing transparency.
Performance of Key Urban Bodies
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) won the Super Swachh League award for cities with populations between 50,000 and 3 lakh. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) ranked 31 among cities with over 10 lakh population, ahead of Greater Mumbai and Chennai. Ghaziabad secured 11th position, while Noida won the Super Swachh League for cities with populations between 3 lakh and 10 lakh.
Citizen Participation and Awareness
Since its inception in 2016, Swachh Survekshan has encourageed large-scale citizen involvement. The survey encourages urban residents to actively participate in cleanliness drives. The Each One Clean One campaign promotes collective responsibility in maintaining urban hygiene.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the role of citizen participation in enhancing urban sanitation and public health in India, with examples from Swachh Survekshan initiatives.
- Discuss in the light of India’s urbanisation challenges how circular economy principles can transform waste management and generate employment.
- Analyse the impact of mentorship programmes like the Swachh City Partnership on improving governance and service delivery in Indian cities.
- Critically discuss the significance of data-driven assessments and inclusive frameworks in promoting sustainable urban development, taking Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 as a case study.
