Day 8 | RAS Mains Paper-4 Test

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) is a national campaign initiated by the Government of India in 2014 to address the pressing issue of sanitation and cleanliness across the country. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2nd, 2014, the campaign commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a clean India. It aims to eliminate open defecation, improve solid waste management, and ensure access to sanitation facilities for all. The mission focuses on building household and public toilets, promoting hygiene practices, and encouraging community participation to create a sustainable and clean environment.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has two components: Swachh Bharat Gramin, focused on rural areas, and Swachh Bharat Urban, aimed at urban sanitation. The campaign has seen considerable success, especially in rural India, where millions of toilets were constructed, significantly reducing open defecation. Through extensive public awareness efforts, including the use of mass media and social influencers, the mission seeks to change mindsets around cleanliness and sanitation.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan not only improves public health and hygiene but also contributes to the broader goals of environmental sustainability and social welfare. The mission remains one of India’s largest and most ambitious cleanliness drives.