Title: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Transforming India Towards a Cleaner Future Description: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by the Government of India in 2014, is a monumental initiative aimed at transforming the nation's sanitation and hygiene landscape. This comprehensive campaign encompasses various aspects, including the construction of toilets, solid waste management, behavior change communication, and technological innovations. Historical Context: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was initiated on October 2, 2014, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who emphasized cleanliness as essential for a healthy society. Key Objectives: The primary goal of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is to achieve universal sanitation coverage and eliminate open defecation across India. Additionally, it aims to promote cleanliness, hygiene, and the efficient management of solid waste. Progress and Achievements: Since its inception, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has made remarkable progress. Millions of toilets have been constructed in rural and urban areas, significantly reducing open defecation. Moreover, initiatives to improve solid waste management have been implemented, leading to cleaner surroundings and a healthier environment. Innovative Approaches: One of the hallmarks of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is its emphasis on innovation. The campaign has embraced modern technologies and creative solutions to address sanitation challenges effectively. From the development of low-cost toilets to the use of mobile applications for monitoring and evaluation, innovation has played a crucial role in the success of the initiative. Challenges and Future Directions: Despite significant achievements, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring inclusivity and sustainability. There is a need to focus on reaching marginalized communities and developing long-term strategies for maintaining sanitation infrastructure. Continued investment in research and development will be essential for finding innovative and sustainable solutions to emerging sanitation issues. Impact on Society: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has had a profound impact on Indian society. Improved sanitation facilities not only contribute to public health but also empower individuals, especially women and girls, by providing them with dignity and safety. Furthermore, cleaner surroundings foster a sense of pride and community ownership, leading to positive social change. In conclusion, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan represents a significant step towards building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable India. Through concerted efforts and innovative approaches, the campaign continues to make strides in achieving its objectives and creating a brighter future for generations to come.

1. Swachh Bharat Mission
Swachh Bharat Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission
is a country-wide campaign initiated by the Government of India on 2nd
October, 2014 to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste
management and to create Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages. The
program also aims to increase awareness of menstrual health
management. It is a restructured version of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan
launched in 2009 that failed to achieve its intended targets. Phase 1 of
the Swachh Bharat Mission lasted till 2nd October 2019, and Phase 2 is
being implemented between 2020–21 and 2024–25 to help cement the
work of Phase 1.
The Swachh Bharat Mission has two sub-missions, the Swachh
Bharat Mission (Rural) under the Department of Drinking Water
and Sanitation (formerly the Ministry of Drinking Water and
Sanitation) and the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) under the
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs [SBM(U)]. This overall
mission is coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water
and Sanitation. The program in rural areas was aimed at
making villages Open Defecation Free (ODF) and improving
overall sanitation levels through SLWM activities.
The Campaigns under Swachh Bharat
Missions are :
1. ‘Plastic se Raksha’
2. ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’
3. ‘Swachhta Shramdaan’
4. ‘Swachhta hee Seva’

2. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)
Coming to Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), it is under the Ministry of Urban
Development and is commissioned to give sanitation and household toilet
facilities in all 4041 statutory towns with a combined population of 377
million. The estimated cost is Rs 62,009 crore over five years with the
centre’s share of assistance being Rs 14,623 crore.
The Mission hopes to cover 1.04 crore households, give 2.5 lakh community
toilet seats,
6.lakh public toilet seats It also proposes to establish solid waste
management facilities in every town.
At the core of this mission lie six components:
1. Individual household toilets;
2. Community toilets;
3. Public toilets;
4. Municipal Solid Waste Management;
5. Information and Education Communication (IEC) and Public
Awareness;
6. Capacity Building
The Urban Clean India mission seeks to eradicate open defecation; convert
insanitary toilets to flush toilets; eradicate manual scavenging, and
facilitate solid waste management. The mission emphasizes on ushering
in a behavioral change among people, for healthy sanitation practices,
by educating them about the damaging effects of open defecation, the
environmental dangers spreading from strewn garbage, and so on.
To achieve these objectives, urban local bodies are being brought in and
fortified to design, implement and operate systems to promote a
facilitating environment for the participation of the private sector in terms
of both capital and operations expenditure.

3. Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural)
The Rural mission, known as Swachh Bharat Gramin,
aims to make Village Panchayats open defecation free
by October 2, 2019. The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)
transformed rural India by making cleanliness a mass
movement - never before, anywhere in the world. Since
the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) in the
year 2014, more than 10crore toilets have been built. As
a result, by October 2019, all villages in the country and
consequently all 36 States/UTs have declared
themselves ODF.
Removing obstacles and addressing critical issues that
affect results is the new thrust of this rural sanitation
mission, which aims to provide all rural households with
individual latrines; and build cluster and community
toilets on public-private partnership mode.
Considering the filth and unhygienic conditions in
village schools, this programme lays special emphasis
on toilets in schools with basic sanitation amenities.
Construction of Anganwadi toilets and management
of solid and liquid waste in all Village Panchayats is
the object of the Clean India mission.

4. Why India Needs Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
India is in dire need of a cleanliness drive like Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan to eradicate dirtiness. It is important for the overall
development of citizens in terms of health and well-being. As the
majority of the population of India lives in rural areas, it is a big
problem.
Generally, in these areas, people do not have proper toilet facilities.
They go out in the fields or roads to excrete. This practice creates a
lot of hygiene problems for citizens. Therefore, this Clean India
mission can be of great help in enhancing the living conditions of
these people.
In other words, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan will help in proper waste
management as well. When we will dispose of waste properly and
recycle waste, it will develop the country. As its main focus is one
rural area, the quality of life of the rural citizens will be enhanced
through it.
Most importantly, it enhances the public health through its
objectives. India is one of the dirtiest countries in the world, and
this mission can change the scenario. Therefore, India needs a
cleanliness drive like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to achieve this.
In short, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a great start to make India
cleaner and greener. If all the citizens could come together and
participate in this drive, India will soon flourish. Moreover, when the
hygienic conditions of India will improve, all of us will benefit
equally. India will have more tourists visiting it every year and will
create a happy and clean environment for the citizens.

5. Swachh Bharat Division
To accelerate the efforts to achieve a Swachh Bharat, Swachh
Prayatan and bring focus on hygiene & sanitation, Ministry of
Tourism has setup a Project Monitoring Unit for Swachh
Bharat Mission on 9thDecember, 2015. The SBM Division co-
ordinate the Swachhta Awareness activities amongst Tourists,
School /College students and tourism stakeholders.
Functions of the Swachh Bharat Division
 To serve as the secretariat for the Swachh Bharat Mission.
 Assistance in formulation of strategies related to
Swachh Bharat Mission;
 Monitoring of projects taken up in partnership with various
divisions of the MoT;
 Inspection of Projects being implemented;
 Interaction with the other Ministries, States/UTs and the
stakeholders through appropriate means including
meetings, conferences and
workshops to take the initiative forward through State
agencies.
 Attend parliamentary matters.
 To update Swachh Bharat Abhiyan / Swachhta Samiksha
/ Swachhta Action plan (SAP) / e-Samiksha / CPGRAMS
website / portal.

6. Phase II of Swachh Bharat Yogana :
SBM(G) Phase-II was launched in February , focus on
sustainability of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and Solid
and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) in rural India. The
programme will work towards ensuring that no one is left
behind and everyone uses a toilet. SBM(G) Phase-II will be
implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in a mission mode.
Objective :-
1. Provision of access to toilets to any left-out households
and newly emerged households by the construction of
IHHLs and CSCs. Financial support of Rs - 12,000 for
APL and BPL Rural households including storage for
handwashing and cleaning of the toilet
2. Biodegradable waste management through composting
and biogas plants (GOBAR- DHAN).
3. Collection, segregation and storage facilities and
setting up of plastic waste management
units/material recovery centres for plastic waste
management.
4. Construction of soak pits, waste stabilisation ponds,
DEWATS, etc. for greywater management.
5. Faecal sludge management through co-treatment in
existing Sewage Treatment Plants/Faecal Sludge
Treatment Plants (STPs/FSTPs) in nearby urban areas
and setting up of FSTPs under the programme.
6. Decentralised operation and maintenance of community
sanitation assets in rural areas by Gram Panchayats.

7. Swacch Bhaíat Awaíds
It is íightly said that Cleanliness is next to Godliness. ľhe
píoveíb peífectly
highlights the impoítance of keeping oneself and one's
suííoundings clean and theíeby píogíessing to spiíitual
gíowth. Keeping the impoítance of cleanliness in mind,
the Goveínment of India established the Swacch Bhaíat
Awaíds in Octobeí 2014. ľhis significant move aims to
píomote the habit of cleanliness among people.
In 2022, the Goveínment also launched the official
Swacch Suívekshan 2022 platfoím that engages the
citizens of India to collaboíate and caííy out gíound
activities íelated to cleaning the suííoundings. Foí a long
time, the people of India have been tíeating public
places caíelessly and litteíing eveíywheíe. With the
initiation of the Swachh Bhaíat Abhiyaan, many people in
the countíy paíticipated in keeping theií suííoundings
clean.
On 1st Octobeí 2022, the Swachh Suívekshan 2022
was hosted as paít of the Swachh Bhaíat Mission-Uíban
2.0 by the Ministíy of Housing & Uíban Affaiís (MoHUA)
in New Delhi. ľhis campaign is dedicated to cleanliness
and each yeaí, the Cleanest City in India gets a Swacch
Bhaíat Awaíd. Indoíe won the Swacch Bhaíat Awaíd
2022 foí being the Cleanest City with a population of
oveí 1 lakh people. ľhe Swacch Suívekshan Awaíd
2022 foí the second and thiíd cleanest cities in India
went to Suíat and Navi Mumbai, íespectively.

8. Majoí Challenges And keys aíeas of focus of Swachh Bhaíat Abhiyan
ľhe Swachh Bhaíat Abhiyan (SBM) has achieved significant píogíess
since its launch in 2014, but it still faces some challenges. Some of the
key challenges include:
 Maintaining ODF status in íuíal aíeas: Once an aíea is declaíed
ODF, it is impoítant to sustain the gains made and ensuíe that
people continue to use toilets and maintain good hygiene
píactices. ľhis can be challenging, especially in aíeas with pooí
infíastíuctuíe and limited íesouíces.
 Impíoving solid waste management in small towns and cities: Small
towns and cities often lack the íesouíces and infíastíuctuíe to
manage theií solid waste effectively. ľhis can lead to the
accumulation of waste in public places and the spíead of diseases.
 Píomoting hygiene and sanitation píactices among all communities:
Some communities, such as maíginalized gíoups and people living
in poveíty, may not have access to toilets oí may not be awaíe of
the impoítance of good hygiene píactices. It is impoítant to íeach
out to these communities and educate them about the impoítance
of sanitation and hygiene.
 Changing social noíms and behavioís aíound cleanliness: Open
defecation and otheí unhygienic píactices aíe often deeply íooted
in social noíms and behavioís. It is impoítant to change these
noíms and behavioís in oídeí to achieve lasting success undeí the
SBM.
In addition to these challenges, the SBM is also facing some funding
constíaints. ľhe goveínment has íeduced the budget foí the mission in
íecent yeaís, which could impact its píogíess.
Despite these challenges, the SBM íemains a cíitical initiative that has the
potential to tíansfoím India's sanitation landscape. ľhe goveínment is
committed to sustaining the gains made undeí the mission and to making
India a tíuly clean and healthy countíy.

9. Poor monitoíing and evaluation: ľheíe is a need foí
betteí monitoíing and evaluation of the SBM to
ensuíe that it is on tíack to achieve its goals.
ľhe goveínment is addíessing these challenges
thíough a vaíiety of measuíes, such as stíengthening
accountability mechanisms, impíoving cooídination
between diffeíent levels of goveínment, and investing
in monitoíing and evaluation. With continued effoíts,
the SBM can achieve its ambitious goal of making
India a clean and healthy countíy foí all.
Heíe aíe some additional challenges that the SBM faces:
Coííuption: ľheíe have been instances of coííuption in
the implementation of the SBM, such as the use of
substandaíd mateíials in the constíuction of toilets. ľhis
can undeímine the quality and sustainability of the
mission.
Lack of cooídination: ľheíe is a lack of cooídination
between the centíal goveínment, state goveínments,
and local bodies in the implementation of the SBM.
ľhis can lead to delays and inefficiencies.

10. Conclusion
Swachh Bhaíat Mission is a landmaík initiative that has
tíansfoímed India's sanitation landscape. ľhe mission has
had a significant impact on the lives of millions of Indians and
has made India a cleaneí and healthieí countíy.
ľhe Swachh Bhaíat Mission has achieved significant
píogíess in íecent yeaís, but theíe is still moíe woík to be
done. ľhe goveínment is committed to sustaining the gains
made undeí the mission and to making India a tíuly clean
and healthy countíy.
Some of the key aíeas of focus foí the futuíe include:
 Maintaining ODF status in íuíal aíeas
 Impíoving solid waste management in small towns and
cities
 Píomoting hygiene and sanitation píactices among all
communities
 Changing social noíms and behavioís aíound cleanliness
ľhe goveínment is also woíking to develop innovative solutions
to the challenges of sanitation and solid waste management.
Foí example, the goveínment is píomoting the use of
biodegíadable mateíials and composting to íeduce the amount
of waste that goes to landfills.
ľhe Swachh Bhaíat Mission is a people's movement and
íequiíes the active paíticipation of all citizens. By woíking
togetheí, we can make India a clean and healthy countíy foí
all.
In addition to the key aíeas of focus mentioned above, the
Swachh Bhaíat Abhiyan could also focus on the following
aíeas in the futuíe:

11. Conclusion:
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has made significant
progress in terms of providing access to toilets and
improving solid waste management. However, there
are still some communities that are being left behind.
The government could focus on ensuring that all
communities, including marginalized groups and
people living in poverty, have access to these essential
services.
Sustainability: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has
achieved significant results in a relatively short period
of time. However, it is important to ensure that these
gains are sustainable. The government could focus on
developing long-term strategies to ensure that
sanitation and solid waste management are a priority
in India.
Innovation: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been a
pioneer in the use of innovative technologies and
approaches to sanitation and solid waste
management. The government could continue to invest
in research and development to find new and
sustainable solutions to these challenges.
By focusing on these areas, the Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan can continue to make India a cleaner and
healthier country for all.