Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C R Patil launched Swachh Seva Aankalan (SSA) on 15^th September 2026 during a virtual meeting with States/UTs. The meeting was attended by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna.  Ministers in charge of Rural Sanitation and concerned officials and Mission Directors of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) from States/UTs joined virtually.

Swachh Seva Aankalan (SSA) is an annual, Gram Panchayat level digital self-assessment framework developed by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) 2.0 for assessment and monitoring of sanitation service delivery in rural areas. This multi-tier evaluation framework envisages the involvement of Gram Panchayats, Gram Sabhas, Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSC), District and State/UT level officials for strengthening sanitation service delivery at grass root level.

Under SSA, ODF Plus (Model) declared Gram Panchayats, together with their VWSCs and local communities, will assess the status of ODF sustainability, visual cleanliness and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) in the Gram Panchayat. The functionality and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) status of sanitation and community SLWM assets will also be self-assessed through the Aankalan. The findings will be discussed and validated by the concerned Gram Sabha and will be available to the District and State/UT authorities to be reviewed in DWSM/SWSM meetings. These authorities will be able to identify service delivery gaps and prepare their respective improvement plans for corrective action at grassroot level.

In the spirit of the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Act, this will further empower the Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas to review their achievements and progress and make focused efforts for improvement in the same.

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PS/AK