In a remarkable feat of recycling and reform, the Modi government has launched India’s largest-ever ‘Swachhata’ (cleanliness) campaign, following cumulative earnings of over ₹3,296 crore from selling office scrap and waste materials since 2021.
The new Special Campaign 5.0, which began on October 2 and runs through October 31, 2025, aims to declutter over 7.22 lakh office spaces from government ministries to local departments marking the most extensive cleanliness initiative in the country’s history.
According to official data, the government’s earnings from the campaign came from selling obsolete files, office furniture, equipment, and vehicles that were no longer needed. Beyond the financial gains, the drive has also freed up nearly 696 lakh square feet of office space and eliminated over 137 lakh physical files, transforming congested government corridors into more efficient workspaces.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed that three senior ministers Mansukh Mandaviya, Ram Mohan Naidu, and himself have been tasked with overseeing the campaign’s progress. More than 800 senior officers from 84 ministries and departments are participating in the mission, ensuring on-ground reviews and regular progress checks.
The campaign’s achievements so far are notable:
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₹1,162 crore earned in the first three years (2021–2023)
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₹551 crore between December 2023 and July 2024
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₹650 crore during the fourth edition (2024–2025)
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₹932 crore from the latest phase (December 2024 to July 2025)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has championed the Swachh Bharat mission since 2014, praised the initiative during his Mann Ki Baat address, urging ministries to continue the drive for cleaner, more productive workplaces. He emphasized that waste management and decluttering government offices not only save space but also reflect a mindset of efficiency and responsibility.
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) will prepare weekly progress reports and conduct a third-party evaluation next month to measure the campaign’s qualitative impact.
Officials noted that this year’s Swachhata campaign also focuses on clearing pending references, parliamentary assurances, and public grievances, ensuring that administrative cleanliness goes hand-in-hand with governance efficiency.
With its combination of sustainability, accountability, and innovation, the Modi government’s “Clean India 5.0” campaign reaffirms that waste can indeed become wealth and that cleanliness is as much about systems as it is about surroundings.
