Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India)

A nationwide campaign for cleanliness and sanitation.

The Swachh Bharat Mission (Swachh Bharat Abhiyan) was launched on 2 October 2014, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. It is a nationwide cleanliness campaign with the primary objective of eliminating open defecation, improving solid waste management and bringing about behavioural change towards sanitation across India.

Scheme at a Glance

Launched 2 October 2014
Two Components SBM-Gramin (Rural) & SBM-Urban
Rural Ministry Ministry of Jal Shakti (Dept. of Drinking Water & Sanitation)
Urban Ministry Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Mascot/Symbol Mahatma Gandhi's spectacles

Key Objectives

  • Eliminate open defecation by constructing household and community toilets.
  • Eradicate manual scavenging.
  • Implement scientific solid and liquid waste management.
  • Bring about a behavioural change regarding healthy sanitation practices.
Related Data & Facts:
  • India declared itself Open Defecation Free (ODF) on 2 October 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II focuses on ODF-Plus, sustaining outcomes and waste management.
  • Swachh Survekshan is an annual cleanliness survey that ranks cities and towns.

Practice MCQs

Q1. On which date was the Swachh Bharat Mission launched?

a) 15 August 2014   b) 2 October 2014   c) 26 January 2015   d) 2 October 2015

Answer: b) 2 October 2014

Q2. The Swachh Bharat Mission has how many main components?

a) One   b) Two   c) Three   d) Four

Answer: b) Two (Gramin & Urban)

Q3. The annual cleanliness survey under Swachh Bharat is known as:

a) Swachh Survekshan   b) Nirmal Survey   c) Clean Index   d) Sanitation Census

Answer: a) Swachh Survekshan

Q4. Which ministry implements SBM-Urban?

a) Ministry of Rural Development   b) Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs   c) Ministry of Health   d) Ministry of Jal Shakti

Answer: b) Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

Q5. India declared itself Open Defecation Free (ODF) in which year?

a) 2017   b) 2018   c) 2019   d) 2020

Answer: c) 2019