‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2026’ campaign commences today
The Union Jal Shakti Ministry launched the 2026 edition of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign on Thursday, with Union Minister C R Patil unveiling the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”. The announcement highlighted that 5.25 lakh villages are now open‑defecation‑free and over 12.22 crore rural household toilets have been constructed since 2014.
- ✓The Union Jal Shakti Ministry launched the 2026 edition of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign on Thursday, with Union Minister C R Patil unveiling the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”.
- ✓Swachhata Hi Seva, now in its 2026 edition, builds on the Swachh Bharat Mission’s objectives to improve public health and environmental hygiene.
- ✓The announcement highlighted that 5.25 lakh villages are now open‑defecation‑free and over 12.22 crore rural household toilets have been constructed since 2014.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil inaugurated the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign on Thursday, marking the start of the annual drive that urges citizens to take ownership of local cleanliness. Patil emphasized the year’s theme, “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, and linked the initiative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader vision of a mass cleanliness movement.
The minister disclosed that 5.25 lakh villages across India have been declared free of open defecation, and 12.22 crore individual household toilets have been built in rural areas since the program began in 2014. He also announced the rollout of Swachh Seva Aankalan under the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, a self‑assessment framework for gram panchayats to evaluate rural sanitation service delivery.
Swachhata Hi Seva, now in its 2026 edition, builds on the Swachh Bharat Mission’s objectives to improve public health and environmental hygiene. By involving local governing bodies and encouraging community participation, the campaign aims to sustain sanitation gains and drive continuous improvement in village‑level services, directly impacting millions of rural residents.
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| Issuing Authority | The Indian Express National |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | INDIA |
| Jurisdiction | All India / National |
| Publication Date | 16 September 2026 |