The Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM-G], launched on October 2, 2014, by the Government of India, marked a transformative initiative to enhance sanitation and cleanliness in rural India. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Phase I achieved a monumental milestone by constructing over 100 million toilets, enabling all rural areas to declare themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2, 2019. Building on this success, SBM-G Phase II, launched in February 2020, aims to sustain ODF status while advancing rural cleanliness through comprehensive solid and liquid waste management (SLWM). With a budget of Rs. 1,40,881 crore, this phase, running from 2020-21 to 2024-25, focuses on achieving “ODF Plus” status for villages. This article explores the objectives, strategies, benefits, eligibility, application process, achievements, challenges, and future prospects of SBM-G Phase II, highlighting its role in transforming rural India.
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Objectives of SBM-G Phase II
The primary goal of SBM-G Phase II is to achieve “ODF Plus” status for all villages in India. ODF Plus extends beyond eliminating open defecation to ensuring sustained ODF behavior and providing infrastructure for effective waste management. The key objectives include:
- Sustainability of ODF Status: Ensuring that rural households continue to use toilets and that no village reverts to open defecation due to lack of maintenance or behavioral relapse.
- Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM): Establishing systems for managing biodegradable waste, plastic waste, greywater (household wastewater), and fecal sludge to enhance village cleanliness.
- Behavioral Change and Awareness: Promoting sustained sanitation practices through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to foster a culture of cleanliness.
- Inclusive Sanitation: Ensuring that no household is left without access to a toilet, with special attention to marginalized communities.
- Economic and Health Benefits: Generating employment through sanitation infrastructure development and improving public health by reducing waterborne diseases linked to poor sanitation.
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| Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II |
These objectives align with India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which emphasizes clean water and sanitation for all.
Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme
Swachh Bharat Mission Highlights
| Scheme | Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | February 2020, building on Phase I (launched October 2, 2014). |
| Duration | 2020-21 to 2024-25. |
| Budget | Rs. 1,40,881 crore, funded through Centre-State convergence. |
| Funding Pattern | 90:10 (Centre:State) for North-Eastern/Himalayan States; 60:40 for other states; 100:0 for Union Territories. |
| Primary Objective | Achieve ODF Plus status by sustaining ODF and implementing solid and liquid waste management (SLWM). |
| Key Benefits | Rs. 12,000 for Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs). Retrofitting of existing toilets. Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) in villages with >100 households. Compost pits, soak pits, and fecal sludge management systems. Decentralized maintenance by Gram Panchayats. |
| Eligibility | BPL households; APL households (SC/ST, persons with disabilities, landless laborers, small/marginal farmers, women-headed households) without toilets and not previously benefited. |
| Application Process | Online |
| Category | Central Govt Scheme |
| Year | 2025 |
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Key Features and Strategies
SBM-G Phase II adopts a multi-pronged strategy to achieve its ambitious goals. Some of the key features include:
Funding and Convergence
The mission operates with a total outlay of Rs. 1,40,881 crore, funded through a convergence model involving central and state governments, as well as other schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Jal Jeevan Mission. The funding pattern is structured as follows:
- 90:10 (Centre:State) for North-Eastern States, Himalayan States, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
- 60:40 for other states.
- 100:0 for other Union Territories, with full central funding.
Additionally, the 15th Finance Commission has allocated Rs. 30,375 crore for rural water supply and sanitation, empowering Gram Panchayats to implement localized solutions. Funding norms for SLWM have been revised to a per capita basis, making allocations more equitable and flexible.
Focus on ODF Plus
ODF Plus villages are those that sustain ODF status and have systems in place for managing solid and liquid waste. The mission monitors four key areas:
- Plastic Waste Management: Segregation, collection, and recycling of plastic waste.
- Biodegradable Solid Waste Management: Composting organic waste, including animal waste, through compost pits and waste stabilization ponds.
- Greywater Management: Treating household wastewater using soak pits and other decentralized systems.
- Fecal Sludge Management: Safe disposal and treatment of fecal matter from toilets.
These components are monitored using output-outcome indicators to ensure measurable progress.
Pradhanmantri Matru Vandana Yojana
Institutional Strengthening
SBM-G Phase II emphasizes capacity building at multiple levels:
- National Level: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti oversees the mission, with a dedicated Mission Director.
- State and District Levels: State Swachh Bharat Missions and District Swachh Bharat Missions facilitate implementation, with District Collectors playing a catalytic role.
- Village Level: Swachhagrahis (cleanliness ambassadors) and Gram Panchayats drive grassroots mobilization and monitoring.
Behavioral Change Initiatives
The mission allocates 8% of its budget to IEC activities, with 3% at the central level and 5% at the state level. These campaigns aim to reinforce sanitation behaviors, raise awareness about waste management, and link cleanliness to public health outcomes. Volunteers and NGOs, such as The Ugly Indian and Waste Warriors, play a crucial role in community engagement.
Integration with Other Schemes
SBM-G Phase II converges with schemes like:
- GOBAR-DHAN Scheme: Converts biodegradable waste into compressed biogas, augmenting farmers’ income.
- Jal Jeevan Mission: Complements greywater management by ensuring piped water supply to households.
- Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan: Focuses on sanitation facilities in schools, promoting hygiene among children.
Benefits of SBM-G Phase II
SBM-G Phase II offers a range of benefits aimed at improving sanitation infrastructure, public health, and environmental sustainability in rural India. Key benefits include:
- Construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs): Eligible households receive financial support of Rs. 12,000 for constructing toilets, applicable to both Above Poverty Line (APL) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. This incentive ensures that every household has access to a functional toilet.
- Retrofitting of Toilets: The mission addresses technological deficiencies in existing toilets, such as poor construction or lack of water supply, to ensure functionality and sustained use.
- Construction of Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs): Villages with over 100 households, particularly those with significant Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) populations or areas frequented by migrant workers, are prioritized for at least one CSC to provide accessible sanitation facilities.
- Solid Waste Management: The mission promotes the establishment of compost pits and waste segregation systems to manage biodegradable and plastic waste, reducing environmental pollution and promoting recycling.
- Liquid Waste Management: Soak pits and other decentralized systems are installed to manage greywater (household wastewater) and stormwater, preventing waterlogging and contamination.
- Fecal Sludge Management (FSM): In peri-urban or densely populated rural areas, FSM systems ensure the safe disposal and treatment of fecal matter, reducing health risks.
- Operation and Maintenance: Gram Panchayats are empowered to manage and maintain community sanitation assets, ensuring long-term sustainability of infrastructure.
These benefits collectively enhance rural hygiene, reduce health risks, and create economic opportunities through infrastructure development and waste management initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure equitable access to sanitation facilities, SBM-G Phase II targets specific categories of households in villages that lack toilets and have not previously benefited from government toilet construction programs. Eligible households include:
- Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
- Above Poverty Line (APL) households in the following order of preference:
- Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- Persons with disabilities (divyangjan-friendly toilets are ensured).
- Landless laborers with homesteads.
- Small farmers.
- Marginal farmers.
- Women-headed households.
Applications are verified by block or district authorities to confirm eligibility. Only approved applicants receive the Rs. 12,000 incentive for toilet construction. The prioritization ensures that the most vulnerable communities benefit first, promoting social inclusion.
Application Process
SBM-G Phase II offers both online and offline application processes to facilitate access to the IHHL incentive. Below is a detailed overview:
Online Application Process
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) website
- Access the Application Form: On the homepage, click on “Application Form for IHHL” under the Citizen Corner section.
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Citizen Registration:
- If not registered, click on “Citizen Registration.”
- Enter your mobile number and verify it using the OTP received.
- Provide details such as name, gender, address, state, and the Captcha code, then click “Submit.”
- A confirmation message will appear upon successful registration.
Login to Apply:
- Return to the homepage and click “Application Form for IHHL.”
- Enter your registered mobile number, OTP, and Security Code, then click “Sign-In.”
- Click “New Application” under the Modules section.
- Complete the application form, upload required documents, and click “Apply.”
Offline Application Process
- Household-Led Construction: Individual beneficiaries can construct toilets with support from agencies or through community-driven models in villages.
- Community or Gram Panchayat (GP) Model: States may provide incentives to individuals, communities, or Gram Panchayats based on achieving sanitation objectives. Incentives provided to communities or GPs must be used exclusively for sanitation activities.
- Quality Assurance: The government ensures toilet quality through sample physical verification by its officers.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following indicative documents:
- Aadhar Number
- Bank Account Details (Passbook)
- Photograph of the applicant
These documents facilitate verification and ensure transparency in the allocation of incentives.
Implementation Strategies
SBM-G Phase II employs a multi-faceted approach to achieve its objectives:
- Funding and Convergence: The mission is funded with Rs. 1,40,881 crore, with a funding pattern of 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States, 60:40 for other states, and 100:0 for Union Territories. It converges with schemes like MGNREGA, Jal Jeevan Mission, and the 15th Finance Commission’s Rs. 30,375 crore allocation for rural sanitation.
- ODF Plus Framework: Villages are classified as ODF Plus when they sustain ODF status and implement SLWM systems, including plastic waste segregation, composting, greywater management, and fecal sludge treatment.
- Institutional Framework: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) oversees the mission, with State and District Swachh Bharat Missions and Gram Panchayats driving implementation. Swachhagrahis (cleanliness ambassadors) mobilize communities at the grassroots level.
- Behavioral Change Campaigns: 8% of the budget is allocated to IEC activities to promote sanitation practices and link cleanliness to health outcomes.
- Integration with Other Schemes: The mission aligns with GOBAR-DHAN for biogas production, Jal Jeevan Mission for water supply, and Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan for school sanitation.
Achievements
As of December 2024, SBM-G Phase II has achieved significant milestones:
- ODF Plus Status: Over 95% of India’s 5.89 lakh villages (approximately 5.61 lakh) have achieved ODF Plus status, a 460% increase from 1 lakh villages in December 2022.
- Toilet Construction: Since 2014, over 108.5 million IHHLs have been constructed, with 5.69 million built in 2020-21 and 2021-22 alone.
- Waste Management Infrastructure: Villages have established compost pits, soak pits, waste stabilization ponds, and material recovery facilities.
- Employment Generation: The mission has created jobs through toilet construction and waste management projects.
- Health Impact: A 2018 UNICEF report noted a 26% reduction in open defecation, correlating with fewer diarrheal diseases among children.
The Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2025 will further evaluate progress by ranking states, union territories, and districts.
Impact and Significance
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II has profoundly impacted rural India by transforming sanitation and waste management. It has significantly reduced waterborne diseases, particularly among children, improving public health outcomes. Economically, the mission has spurred growth by creating jobs through the construction of sanitation infrastructure and waste management systems. Socially, it empowers women and girls by enhancing their safety and dignity through access to toilets. Environmentally, it promotes sustainability by reducing pollution through effective solid and liquid waste management. These multifaceted impacts align with India’s vision for a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable rural landscape, fostering long-term development.
Way Forward
To maximize the impact of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, a strategic approach is essential to sustain and expand its achievements. Strengthening monitoring mechanisms is critical to ensure accurate ODF Plus declarations, preventing slippage and maintaining transparency. Enhancing community participation through Swachhagrahis and Gram Panchayats can foster local ownership, driving sustained behavioral change and effective implementation. Investing in cost-effective waste management technologies, such as decentralized greywater treatment and fecal sludge management systems, will address resource constraints in rural areas.
Tackling regional disparities, particularly in challenging terrains like hilly or flood-prone regions, requires tailored interventions to ensure equitable access to sanitation infrastructure. Finally, ensuring timely and efficient fund utilization is vital to accelerate infrastructure development and avoid bottlenecks. By adopting these measures, SBM-G Phase II can achieve its 2024-25 targets, creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable rural India, aligning with the vision of a Swachh Bharat.
Conclusion
Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II is a landmark initiative that builds on the successes of Phase I to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable rural India. By providing financial incentives, improving infrastructure, and promoting behavioral change, the mission addresses critical sanitation and waste management challenges. With over 95% of villages achieving ODF Plus status by December 2024, SBM-G Phase II is poised to meet its 2024-25 targets. By overcoming implementation challenges and fostering community ownership, the mission can ensure lasting change, aligning with India’s vision of a Swachh Bharat.
FAQs: Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II
Q. What is Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II?
Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, launched in February 2020, builds on the success of Phase I by sustaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and achieving "ODF Plus" through solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) in rural India. With a budget of Rs. 1,40,881 crore, it runs from 2020-21 to 2024-25, aiming to enhance rural cleanliness, public health, and sustainability.
Q. What are the main objectives of SBM-G Phase II?
The mission focuses on sustaining ODF status, implementing SLWM systems, promoting behavioral change through awareness campaigns, ensuring inclusive sanitation for marginalized communities, and improving public health while generating employment. These objectives align with Sustainable Development Goal 6, emphasizing clean water and sanitation for all.
Q. What benefits does SBM-G Phase II offer?
SBM-G Phase II provides Rs. 12,000 for Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs), retrofitting for existing toilets, and Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) in villages with over 100 households, prioritizing SC/ST areas. It also establishes compost pits, soak pits, and fecal sludge management systems, with Gram Panchayats managing community sanitation assets for sustainability.
Q. Who is eligible for the IHHL incentive under SBM-G Phase II?
Eligible households include those without toilets and not previously benefited by government programs, prioritizing Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, followed by Above Poverty Line (APL) households like SC/ST, persons with disabilities, landless laborers, small/marginal farmers, and women-headed households. Applications are verified by block/district authorities.
Q. How can one apply for the IHHL incentive?
Households can apply online at https://swachhbharatmission.ddws.gov.in/ by registering with a mobile number, verifying via OTP, and submitting details and documents. Offline, beneficiaries can construct toilets with agency support or through community models. States may provide incentives to individuals, communities, or Gram Panchayats, ensuring funds are used for sanitation.
Q. What progress has been made under SBM-G Phase II?
As of December 2024, over 95% of villages (5.61 lakh) have achieved ODF Plus status, a 460% increase from 2022. Over 108.5 million IHHLs have been built since 2014, with 5.69 million in 2020-22. Waste management infrastructure like compost and soak pits has been widely established.10.