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Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 to Begin Nationwide September 17
Swachhata Hi Seva is a cleanliness campaign held across India.
The 2026 campaign will start on September 17 and last for about a month.
It asks people, villages, officials, and organisations to work together.
People will clean public places and help manage waste properly.
The campaign also focuses on keeping sanitation workers safe and respected.
On October 1, people will join a nationwide one-hour cleaning effort.
On October 2, villages will hold meetings and cleanliness activities.
The government says cleanliness should continue after the campaign and festivals are over.
Union Minister C R Patil said Swachhata Hi Seva has become a people’s movement rather than only a government programme.
The month-long 2026 campaign will focus on public participation, public-place cleanliness, scientific waste management, and sanitation workers’ safety and dignity.
More than 5.25 lakh villages have been declared ODF-Plus, while over 12.22 crore household toilets have been built since 2014.
A nationwide one-hour shramdaan will take place on October 1, followed by special gram sabhas and cleanliness activities on October 2.
World Tourism Day on September 27 will feature cleanliness drives at tourist sites, pilgrimage centres, public toilets, and other busy locations.
- Who
- Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil announced the campaign, with participation requested from citizens, local governments, organisations, and sanitation workers.
- What
- Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 is a month-long cleanliness and sanitation campaign focused on public participation and sustained cleanliness.
- Where
- The campaign will take place across rural and urban India, including villages, public places, tourist destinations, pilgrimage centres, markets, and river ghats.
- When
- It begins on September 17; major activities are scheduled for September 27, October 1, and October 2.
- Why
- The campaign aims to strengthen public participation, improve waste management and sanitation, and maintain clean surroundings.
Key facts
- Campaign theme
- ‘Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’
- Start date
- September 17, 2026
- Campaign duration
- One month
- ODF-Plus villages
- More than 5.25 lakh villages
- Household toilets
- More than 12.22 crore built since 2014
- 2025 rural participation
- More than 14 crore people
- October 1 activity
- Nationwide ‘Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ shramdaan
- October 2 activity
- Special gram sabhas, awareness programmes, and cleanliness pledges
Quotes
Manohar Lal
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister speaking in a video message
“September 17 is also the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Therefore, this lamp should become a symbol not only of our resolve for cleanliness but also of our gratitude towards the prime minister and our blessings for his healthy and long life.”
theprint.in
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, swachhata today is not merely a government programme. With the participation of crores of citizens, it has become a people’s movement.”
theprint.in
Sources
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