Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today reviewed the preparedness and implementation timeline of Special Campaign 6.0 with the Science Ministries and Departments.

The Science Ministries and Departments have set a target of 1,500 cleanliness campaign sites under Special Campaign 6.0. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has kept a target of 100 cleanliness campaign sites. The campaign will focus on visible cleanliness outcomes, optimum utilisation of available space, systematic disposal of obsolete material and better utilisation of Government resources.

A key thrust of the campaign will be effective collection, segregation and disposal of e-waste. The review also covered the scope for leveraging scientific and technological capabilities for recycling electronic waste and creating value from discarded equipment, going beyond conventional disposal. The campaign framework provides for systematic identification and item-wise reporting of e-waste and its disposal through appropriate channels, including producers, recyclers and refurbishers.

The campaign will also demonstrate the importance of actual disposal of identified obsolete electronic equipment, disposal of the same as part of the exercise. The focus is on ensuring that identified e-waste moves through the appropriate disposal and recycling chain rather than remaining accumulated in offices.

Special Campaign 6.0 will be implemented from October 2 to October 31, 2026, following the preparatory phase undertaken during September. DARPG is coordinating the campaign across Ministries and Departments through a common digital platform, with targets and progress being updated and monitored on the campaign portal.

The Minister stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum through the campaign period, adhering to the prescribed timelines and ensuring that the exercise translates into visible and measurable outcomes.

Dr. Jitendra Singh will participate in a cleanliness drive on October 2, marking the commencement of the implementation phase of Special Campaign 6.0. The drive will focus on cleanliness, segregation and scientific disposal of e-waste, shredding of old files, optimum utilisation of office space, better record management, and reduction of pendency across Government offices.

During the review, Dr. Jitendra Singh evaluated the budgetary expenditure and noted that DSIR and MoES had achieved around 50 per cent expenditure by September 30, in line with the prescribed target. The Minister appreciated both organisations for achieving the 50 per cent target and reviewed the quarter-wise trajectory of expenditure and implementation to ensure steady progress in line with the campaign timeline.

The review meeting was attended by Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST); Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director General, CSIR; Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT); and Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), besides senior officers and nodal officers of the concerned Ministries and Departments.

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