PIB Snippets 1 Release UPSC Prelims & Mains

PIB Snippets — 19th September 2026

Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 launches under the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag,” tracing Swachh Bharat Mission’s progress since 2014.

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Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026

The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign was launched on 17 September 2026, themed “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag.”
It runs till 2 October 2026, alongside Swachh Bharat Diwas. PIB has released a detailed note tracing the campaign since 2017.

Launched on 2 October 2014, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary; logo is Gandhi’s spectacles, symbolising “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Two components: SBM-Grameen (SBM-G) — rural sanitation and waste management; SBM-Urban (SBM-U) — urban sanitation and cleanliness infrastructure.
Rural India was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2019.

ODF: no open defecation, basic toilet access. ODF Plus: sustains ODF and manages solid/liquid waste.
Villages progress through three stages: Aspiring → Rising → Model; Model villages also show visual cleanliness and ODF Plus messaging. Toilets are assessed on FACES parameters: Functional, Accessible, Clean, Eco-friendly, Safe.

Over 5.69 lakh, with more than 5.25 lakh at Model status (as of 17 Sept 2026).

12.22 crore individual household toilets built.

1,314 biogas plants running across 585 districts.

95,478 urban wards with 100% door-to-door collection; 60 waste-to-energy and 3,254 waste-to-compost plants; 68,339 public sanitation facilities.

An annual citizen-participation campaign since 2017, preceding Swachh Bharat Diwas every year, rooted in the Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) approach and shramdaan (voluntary service).

Transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and public places.
Swachh Paathshala: youth and school participation (Classes 6–12).
SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivirs: health and welfare camps for sanitation workers.
Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata: citizen-led waste segregation drives.
Swachhata Se Samriddhi: linking waste to wealth via Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Also raises awareness of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.

2017: Launch, nationwide shramdaan. 2018: Swachhagrahis and Nigrani Samitis. 2019: Plastic waste focus. 2020: Not held (COVID-19).
2021–22: Visual cleanliness, 4R principle. 2023: “Garbage-Free India,” 109 crore+ participations. 2024: “Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata.” 2025: “Swachhotsav.” 2026: “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag.”

Source: PIB