India’s sanitation landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation in the eleven years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, driven by the Swachh Bharat Mission. The mission aimed to eliminate open defecation, improve solid and liquid waste management, and uphold the dignity and health of citizens—particularly women and the rural poor.
Under Phase-I, India achieved 100% sanitation coverage in rural areas by 2019, with over 10 crore Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs) constructed and all villages declaring themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Phase-II, launched in April 2020, focuses on sustaining ODF status and achieving ODF Plus through improved solid and liquid waste management (SLWM). As of March 17, 2025, out of 5.86 lakh villages, over 5.64 lakh villages have declared themselves ODF Plus, with 1.12 lakh Aspiring, 7,337 Rising, and 4.44 lakh Model villages. Furthermore, 5.03 lakh villages have implemented solid waste management, and 5.22 lakh villages have adopted liquid waste management.
In total, over 12 crore IHHLs and 2.53 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) have been constructed under SBM(G), dramatically improving health and hygiene outcomes across India.
The mission’s decentralized approach gives States flexibility in implementation, with Centre-State fund sharing at 60:40, and 90:10 for Northeastern and Himalayan states. For Union Territories (excluding J&K), the Centre bears 100% of the cost.
Swachh Bharat has not only improved public health but also ensured safety, dignity, and empowerment—especially for women in rural India.
