Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 awards recognised urban cleanliness at a ceremony in New Delhi on 11 November 2026. President Droupadi Murmu presented the honours and emphasised citizen participation. For related exam themes, explore CBL’s national current affairs.
Quick answer: The Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 awards honour cities for cleanliness and contributions to Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. President Droupadi Murmu presented them in New Delhi on 11 November 2026. Related reports identify Visakhapatnam as the cleanest city, Guntur as a Super Swachh League awardee, and Puri as the winner among coastal towns.
What are the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 awards?
The awards recognise clean cities and their contributions to Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs organises them.
At the ceremony, the President linked cleanliness with public health, social sensitivity and administrative accountability. Moreover, she stressed that households and communities share responsibility for sanitation outcomes.
Which cities received recognition?
Related reports identify Visakhapatnam, Guntur and Puri among the cities receiving recognition. The linked Press Information Bureau release confirms the ceremony but does not list these city results.
| City | Recognition in related reports |
|---|---|
| Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | Named cleanest city |
| Guntur, Andhra Pradesh | Won a Super Swachh League award; ranked third among cities with populations of 3 lakh to 10 lakh |
| Puri, Odisha | Won among coastal towns |
For Prelims, distinguish Guntur’s league award from its third-place position in the population category. The two are separate recognitions in the supplied reports.
What did the President emphasise?
The President called for citizen feedback to improve municipal services, rather than limiting it to rankings. She encouraged residents to report both their experiences and gaps requiring attention.
She also highlighted the participation of young people, women, resident welfare associations and community organisations. According to her, continuing dialogue can strengthen transparency, trust and accountability between residents and city administrations.
In addition, she called for effective, affordable and safe sanitation technologies. She noted the work of Indian Institutes of Technology and other research organisations, as well as the contribution of sanitation start-ups.
Why does the survey matter for urban governance?
The survey connects cleanliness recognition with municipal services and public participation. The President also urged capacity building in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, whose needs differ from those of larger cities.
For constitutional context, the Twelfth Schedule lists public health, sanitation, conservancy and solid waste management among municipal subjects. Under Article 243W, state legislatures may endow municipalities with powers and responsibilities concerning such matters.
Source: Press Information Bureau, 12 November 2026
Asked in UPSC: Previous Year Questions
- UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 (GS Paper I): Is the India Sanitation Coalition funded by the Government of India and World Health Organization, and is the National Institute of Urban Affairs a ministry apex body addressing urban challenges?
UPSC tests urban sanitation alongside the roles and funding of related institutions.
Punjab PCS and Haryana HCS candidates can revise municipal sanitation functions alongside the survey. In addition, state General Studies questions may test award categories, cities and the organising ministry.
Prelims Practice Corner
Mains Practice Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who presented the Swachh Survekshan awards?
President Droupadi Murmu presented them. The ceremony took place in New Delhi on 11 November 2026.
Which city was named the cleanest?
Visakhapatnam was named the cleanest city, according to the related reports. However, the linked Press Information Bureau release does not list the city results.
Which ministry organises the awards?
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs organises them. The awards also recognise contributions to Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
Related Current Affairs
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