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Which City Topped Swachh Survekshan 2024-25? Key Takeaways for UPSC & SSC!

The Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 awards made headlines as Ahmedabad was declared India’s cleanest big city, followed by Bhopal and Lucknow. Conducted under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), this year’s survey covered 4,589 cities and introduced key reforms like the Super Swachh League and revised population categories. For competitive exam aspirants, this topic is vital—UPSC has previously asked questions on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’s impact and policies.

Why is Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 in the News?
President Droupadi Murmu awarded Ahmedabad as the cleanest big city (10+ lakh population) in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 rankings. The ceremony, held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, also recognized Bhopal and Lucknow in the top three.
Since its launch in 2016, the survey has expanded from 73 cities to 4,589, reflecting India’s growing focus on urban cleanliness under the Ministry of

Housing and Urban Affairs.

Key Highlights of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25
✅ Super Swachh League: A new category for past winners (like Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai) to encourage fresh competitors.
✅ Population-Based Categories: Cities now compete in 5 groups, from very small (<20,000) to million-plus (>10 lakh).
✅ Theme – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R): Aligns with the Jaipur Declaration from the 12th Regional 3R Forum (2025).
✅ Special Awards:
Cleanest Ganga Town: Prayagraj
Safest Cities for Sanitation Workers: Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, Gorakhpur
Cleanest Cantonment: Secunderabad

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): A Quick Recap
Launched in 2014, SBM completed 10 years in 2024.
Phase 2 (SBM-Urban 2.0) focuses on waste management, plastic recycling, and ODF+ villages.
Goal: Achieve “garbage-free cities” by 2024-25.

Sample Questions for Competitive Exams
Q: Which city was awarded the cleanest big city in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25?
A: Ahmedabad.
Q: What is the theme of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25?
A: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R).
Q: Which category was introduced to separate past winners like Indore in SS 2024-25?
A: Super Swachh League.
Q: Which ministry oversees the Swachh Survekshan awards?
A: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Q: What was the main objective of Swachh Bharat Mission’s first phase?
A: Making India Open Defecation-Free (ODF) by 2019.

Why is This Important for Exams?
UPSC: Questions on Swachh Bharat Mission’s policies, urban governance, and awards frequently appear in Prelims (GS-I) and Mains (GS-II/III).
SSC & PSC: Topics like government schemes, rankings, and sanitation initiatives are part of the General Awareness section.
Essay Writing: Swachh Survekshan aligns with themes like sustainable development, civic responsibility, and urban planning.