In a major recognition of urban sanitation excellence, Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai have claimed the top three positions in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 rankings, reaffirming their leadership in cleanliness and sustainable urban living. The rankings were announced during a grand ceremony in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu felicitated the winners and lauded their contribution to building a cleaner India.
The three cities emerged victorious in the newly introduced “Super Swachh League,” a category designed to honour cities that have demonstrated consistent performance in sanitation over the years. Indore retained its long-standing reputation by clinching the top rank, followed closely by Surat and Navi Mumbai at second and third places, respectively. Vijayawada secured the fourth position.
Organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the annual survey is the world’s largest cleanliness assessment exercise. The 2024–25 edition featured a restructured evaluation framework under the principle of “One City, One Award,” enabling fair competition among cities of various sizes and demographics.
This year, a total of 78 awards were presented across multiple categories. Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow were named the new-generation “Swachh Shehars,” having made significant progress in adopting modern waste management practices and inclusive sanitation solutions. Prayagraj received the Best Ganga Town award, while the Secunderabad Cantonment Board was recognised for its strong performance in the cantonment category.
In a significant nod to frontline sanitation workers, Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, and Gorakhpur were declared the Best SafaiMitra Surakshit Shehars. These awards honoured cities that have prioritised the safety, dignity, and welfare of their sanitation staff through structured support and improved working conditions.
A special recognition was given to the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Prayagraj Mela Adhikari, and the Municipal Corporation of Prayagraj for their exceptional handling of urban waste during the Mahakumbh pilgrimage, which witnessed a record footfall of nearly 66 crore devotees.
Speaking at the event, President Murmu commended the Ministry’s “Waste is Best” campaign, which promotes circular economy principles like Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R). “Transforming waste into wealth is not only good for the environment but also generates employment and encourages youth entrepreneurship,” she noted.
The President urged citizens to support the Swachh Bharat Mission by actively participating in local cleanliness efforts. “From schools to startups, every initiative matters in our journey towards a cleaner and greener nation,” she added.
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal announced two key initiatives aimed at sustaining and expanding the gains of the cleanliness movement. First, the “Swachh City Partnership” was launched—a mentorship programme where each of the 78 top-performing cities will guide an underperforming counterpart from their state to help bridge the gap in sanitation performance. “Zaroorat hai sabko saath lekar chalne ki,” said the Minister, calling on cities to collaborate under the spirit of “Each One Clean One.”
Second, the “Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation Programme” was unveiled. Scheduled to begin on August 15, this year-long campaign seeks to clear legacy waste dumps, reclaim valuable urban land, and boost scientific waste processing capacity.
MoHUA Secretary Srinivas Katikithala reflected on the Swachh Bharat Mission’s decade-long journey and emphasized the need for long-term, forward-looking strategies aligned with the national vision for a developed India by 2047. He also highlighted the revamped survey framework, which now includes 10 new performance indicators and five population categories, making the assessment more inclusive and data-driven.
In a symbolic gesture, President Murmu was gifted a handcrafted sarangi made entirely from discarded materials, embodying the ethos of “waste to wealth.” The event also saw the digital launch of the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Results Dashboard, offering detailed insights into city-wise performance, rankings, and key sanitation metrics.
As India continues to push toward cleaner cities and sustainable urban living, the Swachh Survekshan remains a critical measure of civic pride, administrative performance, and citizen engagement.
