Recently, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Swachh Survekshan Awards in a national ceremony hosted by MoHUA in New Delhi.
Quality Council of India (QCI)
- QCI was established in 1996 through a Cabinet decision as an independent, autonomous body under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
- Structure: It is supported by the Government of India and industry bodies like ASSOCHAM, CII, and FICCI.
- Legal Status: QCI is a non-profit organization registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- Function: It ensures third-party assessment and promotes quality standards across sectors like education, health, environment, and governance.
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About Swachh Survekshan Awards
- Swachh Survekshan is the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey, launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2016 under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan–Urban.
- Implementation Framework: The survey is conducted in partnership with the Quality Council of India (QCI) and aims to assess cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation standards in cities and towns.
- Purpose: It recognizes and rewards the efforts of cities and states that excel in urban sanitation, promote citizen engagement, and improve solid waste management systems.
About Swachh Survekshan 2024-25
- Scope and Coverage: Over 4,500 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were assessed in 2024-25 through the efforts of more than 3,000 trained assessors over a rigorous 45-day field inspection period.
- Citizen Participation: The survey reached over 14 crore citizens via digital platforms, in-person engagement, and social media, reflecting a strong community-centric approach.
Award Categories in 2024-25

- Super Swachh League (SSL): A new category was introduced this year, the SSL features cities that consistently performed in the top tier over the last three years.
- These cities must have ranked in the top three at least once in the past three years.
- They should remain in the top 20% of their population category in the current year.
- Top Clean Cities by Population Category: For the first time, cities were classified into five population-based groups for fair comparison:
- Very Small Cities (< 20,000)
- Small Cities (20,000 – 50,000
- Medium Cities (50,000 – 3 lakh)
- Big Cities (3 – 10 lakh)
- Million-Plus Cities (> 10 lakh)
- Special Category Awards: Recognitions are also extended to:
- Ganga Towns (under Namami Gange Mission)
- Cantonment Boards
- SafaiMitra Suraksha Champions
- Mahakumbh City Initiatives
The award for Best Ganga Town to Prayagraj, while Secunderabad Cantonment was honoured as the Best Cantonment Board for its exemplary sanitation efforts.
- GVMC Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, and Gorakhpur were declared Best SaifaiMitra Surakshit Shehar for their outstanding commitment to the safety and dignity of sanitation workers.
- A special recognition was accorded to State Govt. of UP, Prayagraj Mela Adhikari and Prayagraj Municipal Corporation, for its exceptional urban waste management during the Mahakumbh.
- One City, One Award’ principle: The top-performing cities from each State were recognized as Promising Swachh Shehars.
- A total of 34 cities across various States and Union Territories earned this distinction, showcasing their notable progress in urban cleanliness and sanitation excellence.
Assessment Methodology
- Parameters and Indicators: It used 10 comprehensive parameters and 54 indicators covering waste processing, sanitation infrastructure, cleanliness of public spaces, and citizen feedback.
- Data Collection and Validation: On-ground verification, citizen feedback, photographic evidence, and real-time monitoring were used to ensure transparency and accuracy of assessments.
Initiatives Launched at the award
- Swachh City Partnership : Under it each of the 78 top-performing cities will mentor a poor-performing city in their state, promoting peer learning under the “Each One Clean One” approach.
- Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation Programme: It is a one-year special programme starting from August 15, 2025.
- It will fast-track legacy waste remediation, enhance scientific waste processing, and unlock valuable urban land.
Conclusion
Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 not only promotes competitive cleanliness among cities but also fosters sustainable urban development. With innovations like the Super Swachh League and population-based classification, the survey is evolving into a more inclusive and aspirational benchmark for India’s sanitation goals.
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