New Delhi: Indore has once again claimed the title of India’s cleanest city, securing the top spot in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 for the eighth consecutive year.
The results of the Central government’s annual cleanliness survey were announced at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Surat and Navi Mumbai secured second and third places, respectively, maintaining their strong track record in urban sanitation and cleanliness.
In the category of cities with a population between 3 and 10 lakhs, Noida was declared the cleanest, followed by Chandigarh in second place and Mysuru in third.
The 2024–25 edition marked the ninth Swachh Survekshan survey, covering over 4,500 cities across India. The assessment was based on 10 parameters and 54 indicators, focusing on key areas such as sanitation, waste management, and quality of service delivery. This year’s overarching theme was ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’, highlighting the government’s emphasis on sustainable urban development.
Indore’s consistent top performance also earned it the highest rank in the newly introduced Super Swachh League, a special category created to recognise cities that have remained in the top three for the past three years and are among the top 20 per cent in their population group. Indore received the highest score among the 23 cities included in this elite group.
The city’s delegation to the event was led by Municipal Commissioner Shivam Verma, reflecting the administration’s continued commitment to civic excellence. Indore has been a model city since 2017, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi often praising its citizen-led approach and proactive implementation of urban reforms.
Indore’s success is widely attributed to strong public participation, innovative waste management practices, and seamless coordination between municipal authorities and residents.
Other cities recognised in the Super Swachh League include Ujjain and Budhni, which topped their respective population categories. For the first time, the survey divided cities into five population-based categories, very small, small, medium, big, and million-plus, to ensure fair comparison and recognition. This new structure allowed cities like Panchgani, Saswad, Tirupati, Noida, and Navi Mumbai to compete with similar-sized peers.
Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 drew participation from more than 14 crore citizens through on-ground surveys, mobile apps, and social media, reinforcing its status as the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey.
The awards ceremony saw a total of 78 honours presented across multiple categories, including Super Swachh League Cities, Ganga Towns, Cantonment Boards, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and Mahakumbh, as well as State-level recognitions.
According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the extensive survey process involved more than 3,000 assessors visiting every ward in the country over 45 days, and included the evaluation of over 11 lakh households.
The Swachh Survekshan survey continues to be a key component of the Union government’s flagship Swachh Bharat Mission, launched during Prime Minister Modi’s first term in office. Indore’s eighth consecutive win not only showcases operational efficiency but also reflects a deeper cultural shift, where cleanliness has become embedded in daily life.