New Delhi, July 15: President Droupadi Murmu will felicitate the winners of the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024-25 at a grand ceremony to be held on July 17, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) announced on Tuesday. The event marks the culmination of the 9th edition of the annual Swachh Survekshan, the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey.
This annual initiative is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) and is aimed at encouraging cities to improve urban sanitation and solid waste management. It evaluates cities on a range of cleanliness parameters, including citizen feedback, direct observation, and service-level progress.
This year, a total of 78 awards will be conferred across four major categories, recognising excellence in sanitation and hygiene by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), state governments, and specific institutional efforts.
These categories are:
- Super Swachh League Cities – Cities that have consistently outperformed others in terms of cleanliness and citizen engagement.
- Top Three Clean Cities in Five Population Categories – Recognising cities based on population brackets, such as:
Above 10 lakh
3–10 lakh
1–3 lakh
50,000–1 lakh
Below 50,000 - Special Category Awards – Including:
Ganga Towns (cities along the Ganga River)
Cantonment Boards
SafaiMitra Suraksha (for promoting safety and dignity of sanitation workers)
Mahakumbh (recognising large-scale sanitation efforts during mass gatherings) - State Level Awards – Acknowledging the “Most Promising Clean City” from each state and Union Territory
The awards are designed to promote healthy competition among cities and to drive innovation in urban sanitation. Over the years, Swachh Survekshan has played a pivotal role in transforming urban landscapes by making cleanliness a mass movement and instilling civic responsibility among citizens.
Last year, Indore had retained its position as India’s cleanest city for the sixth consecutive time, and all eyes are on whether it will continue its winning streak or if a new champion will emerge.
The upcoming awards ceremony is expected to be attended by senior government officials, city administrators, sanitation workers, and key stakeholders of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The event will not only celebrate the achievements but also set the tone for the next phase of cleanliness and hygiene reforms under SBM-U 2.0.
The Swachh Survekshan Awards reflect the growing commitment of Indian cities to cleanliness and sustainability — a vision that aligns with the broader goals of public health, environmental conservation, and urban development.