The Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024, conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), recognized India’s cleanest cities based on sanitation, waste management, sustainability, and citizen participation. The survey covered more than 4,300 cities and towns, making it the world’s largest cleanliness assessment.
Cleanest Cities in India (Population >1 Million)
- Indore, Madhya Pradesh – Cleanest city for the 7th consecutive year; best in waste segregation, waste-to-energy projects, and public participation.
- Surat, Gujarat – Efficient waste disposal, air quality control, and smart waste systems.
- Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra – Advanced segregation, recycling, composting, and biogas plants.
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh – Focus on plastic waste management and beach cleanliness.
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – Eco-friendly waste treatment, green cover expansion, and toilet maintenance.
- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh – Door-to-door waste collection, zero-waste model, and awareness campaigns.
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Rajkot, Gujarat
- Chandrapur, Maharashtra
- Pune, Maharashtra
Key Observations: Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai dominate rankings; Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra perform strongly.
Cleanest Cities in India (Population <1 Million)
- Mysuru, Karnataka – Cleanest small city; best solid waste management and sustainable sanitation.
- New Delhi (NDMC area) – Best capital city; efficient toilet maintenance and zero-littering zones.
- Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh – India’s first waste-to-cash model; effective waste segregation.
- Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – High temple town cleanliness standards.
- Kharagpur, West Bengal – Fast-improving in solid waste management.
Key Observations: Mysuru continues to lead small cities; South Indian cities show strong performance.
Cleanest States in India
- Maharashtra – India’s cleanest state.
- Madhya Pradesh – Consistently among the best.
- Chhattisgarh – Sustainable waste management success.
- Andhra Pradesh – Strong coastal and temple city performance.
Key Observations: Western and Central India dominate; Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh show major improvements.
Special Category Awards
- Best City in Citizen Participation: Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Best City in Sustainable Waste Management: Surat, Gujarat
- Best City in Plastic Waste Management: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Best Small City in Innovation & Sanitation: Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh
Evaluation Criteria
Cities were ranked on:
- Waste Collection & Segregation
- Processing & Disposal
- Public Toilet Cleanliness
- Citizen Feedback
- Sustainability Measures
- Innovative Practices
Key Takeaways
- Indore remains India’s cleanest city for the 7th year.
- Mysuru leads among small cities.
- Navi Mumbai and Surat show strong improvements.
- Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh dominate state rankings.
- Innovative solutions like waste-to-energy and plastic recycling are expanding.
Future Recommendations
- Expand waste segregation programs nationwide.
- Improve access to public toilets and sanitation awareness.
- Promote zero-landfill models.
- Encourage smart waste tracking and AI-based monitoring.
Conclusion
Swachh Survekshan 2024 highlights the progress of India’s urban sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission. With cities like Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Mysuru, and Ambikapur setting benchmarks, India is advancing toward cleaner and more sustainable urban development through government initiatives, citizen participation, and technology-driven waste solutions.