Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, reviewed the progress of Special Campaign 6.0 and highlighted the improvement in performance over Special Swachhata Campaign 5.0 last years, in terms of cleanliness campaign sites covered, revenue earned through scrap disposal and space freed.

As on October 19, 2026, Special Swachhata Campaign 6.0 had covered 8,34,509 cleanliness campaign sites, compared to 2,75,432 during the corresponding period of Special Campaign 5.0 in 2025, registering a 3.03-fold increase. Revenue earned through scrap disposal stood at ₹491.28 crore, against ₹304.72 crore during the corresponding period last year, representing a 1.61-fold increase. The campaign had also freed 116 lakh square feet of space, compared to 113.12 lakh square feet during the corresponding period of Special Campaign 5.0.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in the Ministry of Personnel has freed 1,200 square feet of space on a single floor within its office premises as part of Special Campaign 6.0. The initiative reflects the campaign’s focus on optimising the utilisation of available office space and ensuring that premises are used in accordance with functional requirements.

The Minister noted that the campaign builds on the experience of previous editions, with the objective of improving performance year after year. What began with the clearance of physical files has progressively expanded to include electronic files, e-waste management and the disposal of obsolete materials. The recovery of revenue through scrap disposal has also emerged as an important component of the campaign.

As part of the ongoing implementation phase, Dr. Jitendra Singh has urged Secretaries to ensure wider participation in Special Campaign 6.0 by extending activities to field offices and establishments across the country. He has emphasised the importance of organising dedicated one-day campaigns across offices and establishments, alongside sustained efforts to improve cleanliness and ensure the effective disposal of obsolete materials.

The campaign also focuses on clearing pending references and public grievances, reviewing physical and electronic files, and freeing up office space for productive utilisation. These efforts complement the physical cleanliness drive and extend its scope to the functioning of government offices.

Among the major contributors, the Department of School Education and Literacy had reported 4,15,353 cleanliness campaign sites, while the Ministry of Railways had generated ₹425.06 crore through scrap disposal as on October 19, 2026.

Special Campaign 6 is being implemented from October 2 to October 31, 2026. The progress review reflects the achievements recorded during the ongoing campaign, with implementation continuing until October 31.

The Minister also underscored the importance of creating greater awareness and motivation among the general public regarding cleanliness, responsible waste disposal and recycling. He highlighted the need to promote scientific management of e-waste and showcase technologies for reusing and recycling waste, including applications involving used cooking oil and plastic, to encourage wider understanding of sustainable waste-management practices.

The meeting was attended by Secretaries to the Government of India, with Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG); Ms. Rachna Shah, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT); Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST); Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES); Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR); and Dr. Rajesh Sudhir Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), attending in person. Other Secretaries to the Government of India joined the meeting virtually.

Secretary, DARPG, presented the progress of Special Campaign 6 across Ministries, Departments and their field establishments. DoPT informed the meeting that it had adopted electric vehicles for the Department, contributing to the objectives of Swachhata and Special Campaign 6. The Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), highlighted the importance of assessing office space from the perspective of “utility versus availability” to ensure its optimal utilisation. Dr. Jitendra Singh urged all Secretaries to adopt this approach while reviewing space in their respective Ministries and Departments, aligning its utilisation with actual functional requirements. The Minister also urged all Secretaries to share successful initiatives and best practices with DARPG and other Ministries and Departments to facilitate the wider dissemination and replication of successful models. This would enable other Ministries and Departments to learn from these experiences and adopt similar practices, wherever relevant, to strengthen the implementation of Special Campaign 6.

 

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