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Which City Ranked The Cleanest Big City in India: Why Swachh Survekshan Matters

The Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 awards, part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), have recognized Ahmedabad as India’s cleanest big city. This annual survey evaluates urban cleanliness and promotes citizen participation in sanitation efforts. For UPSC, SSC, and PSC aspirants, staying updated on such governance initiatives is essential, as questions frequently appear in both Prelims and Mains.

Key Objectives of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25:
The Swachh Survekshan survey is designed with multiple objectives to enhance India’s urban sanitation landscape:
Encouraging Citizen Participation: The survey aims to involve citizens in cleanliness drives, fostering a collective responsibility towards sanitation.

Promoting Healthy Competition: Cities are ranked based on cleanliness, motivating municipalities to improve waste management and public hygiene.
Aligning with Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): The survey supports the mission’s goal of making India open-defecation-free and ensuring sustainable waste management.

Introducing New Categories: The 2024-25 edition features a “Super Swachh League” for past winners, allowing new cities to compete fairly.
Focus on 3R Principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle): The theme emphasizes sustainable waste management, aligning with global environmental goals.

Why Is This Important for Competitive Exams?
Since its launch, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has been a recurring topic in UPSC, SSC, and state PSC exams. Here’s why you should pay attention:
✅ UPSC Mains 2016 Question: “How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?”
✅ Policy-Based Questions: The survey’s methodology, ranking criteria, and new categories are potential Prelims questions.
✅ Governance & Urban Development: A key segment in GS Paper II (UPSC Mains) and state administrative exams.
✅ Environmental Sustainability: Links to climate change, waste management, and circular economy concepts.

Sample Questions & Answers for Exam Prep:
Q1: Which city was ranked India’s cleanest big city in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25?
Ans: Ahmedabad secured the top position among million-plus cities.
Q2: What is the new category introduced in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25?
Ans: The “Super Swachh League” was introduced for past winners like Indore and Surat.
Q3: Which ministry conducts the Swachh Survekshan awards?
Ans: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) oversees the survey.
Q4: What is the theme of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25?
Ans: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R)”, focusing on sustainable waste management.
Q5: How many cities participated in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25?
Ans: 4,589 cities were evaluated this year.

With competitive exams increasingly focusing on governance and current affairs, the Swachh Survekshan rankings offer valuable insights into India’s urban sanitation progress. Whether you’re preparing for UPSC, SSC, PSC, or other exams, understanding such policies will strengthen your answers and boost your scores.

Pro Tip: Revise related schemes like AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) and Smart Cities Mission for a holistic grasp of urban development topics.