In a landmark step towards a cleaner urban India, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has unveiled the Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) initiative, a groundbreaking mentorship program designed to elevate waste management practices across the nation's cities. Launched on September 27, 2025, in Sonipat, Haryana, the program pairs 72 top-performing mentor cities with approximately 200 lower-ranked mentee cities, fostering knowledge transfer, peer learning, and collaborative action under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0). Nearly 300 cities signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) simultaneously during the event, marking one of the largest urban sanitation collaborations in India's history.
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, who spearheaded the launch, described SSJ as a "non-ceremonial, outcome-driven initiative" that embodies the Antyodaya principle—ensuring no city is left behind in the pursuit of swachhata (cleanliness). "The spirit of Swachh Bharat Mission has always focused on building capacity and capabilities for all stakeholders—this is an inclusive mission where we all walk together," Khattar emphasized, highlighting the program's role in scaling best practices nationwide. Joining virtually, MoHUA Secretary S. Katikithala reinforced this vision, calling SSJ a "dynamic platform for mentoring, knowledge-sharing, and hands-on guidance," with the explicit goal that every mentee city achieves measurable improvements in sanitation outcomes.
The initiative arrives at a critical juncture for India's urban landscape. With rapid urbanization swelling city populations and straining waste management infrastructure, the country generates over 62 million tons of solid waste annually, much of it unmanaged. Swachh Survekshan—the world's largest urban sanitation survey—has been instrumental in benchmarking progress since 2016, but disparities persist. While top cities boast near-100% waste segregation and processing, many lag due to resource constraints, governance gaps, and low citizen engagement. SSJ addresses these by institutionalizing a "Each One Teach One" model, where proven strategies from high performers are replicated in struggling locales.
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The Genesis and Framework of Swachh Shehar Jodi
The seeds of SSJ were sown earlier in 2025, aligning with the ramp-up for Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025, a nationwide cleanliness fortnight from September 14 to 28. On August 26, 2025, MoHUA released comprehensive guidelines, formally pairing mentor and mentee cities based on Swachh Survekshan 2024 rankings. Mentor cities were selected from the elite Super Swachh League—comprising consistent top performers across population categories (less than 1 lakh, 1-10 lakh, and over 10 lakh)—along with the top three cities in each category and "promising clean cities" that showed resilience amid challenges like leadership transitions.
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Geographical proximity guided pairings to facilitate practical exchanges, such as site visits and joint workshops. For instance, in Andhra Pradesh, Atmakur Municipality has been twinned with Guntur Municipal Corporation, a mentor known for its robust sanitation drives. In Telangana, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) signed MoUs with mentee cities like Manthani and Cheriyal, committing to enhanced waste management and citizen outreach. Puducherry's Oulgaret Municipality partnered with Karaikal, underscoring regional synergies.
The 100-day pilot phase, kicking off immediately post-launch, mandates each pair to co-develop action plans with defined milestones. These cover source-level segregation, legacy waste remediation, behavioral change campaigns, and technology integration for monitoring. MoHUA will offer policy support, including funding incentives and technical assistance, while states ensure on-ground execution. Success will be gauged in Swachh Survekshan 2026, with rankings reflecting collaborative impacts.
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Swachh Shehar Jodi Highlights
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 27, 2025, in Sonipat, Haryana |
| Program | Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) under SBM-U 2.0 |
| Objective | Mentor 200 mentee cities to improve waste management |
| Mentors | 72 top-performing cities from Swachh Survekshan 2024 |
| Key Activities | 100-day pilot for waste segregation, remediation, and citizen engagement |
| MoUs Signed | Nearly 300 cities formalized partnerships |
| Oversight | MoHUA and states, with Swachh Survekshan 2026 evaluation |
| Citizen Role | Engagement via Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 and Swachhata app |
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Spotlight on Mentor-Mentee Synergies
At the heart of SSJ are real-world transformations through tailored mentorship. Take Indore, perennial Swachh Survekshan champion and a Super Swachh League stalwart. With over 98% waste processing and innovative models like the "Idli-Dosa" recycling units—where food waste fuels community kitchens—Indore mentors smaller cities on scalable, low-cost solutions. Paired with a mentee in Madhya Pradesh, it will share blueprints for door-to-door collection fleets powered by electric vehicles, reducing emissions while boosting efficiency.
Similarly, Surat in Gujarat, famed for its zero-landfill policy and AI-driven waste tracking, guides coastal mentees on monsoon-resilient drainage systems. In the south, Chennai's expertise in decentralized composting—converting market waste into bio-fertilizers—will uplift Tamil Nadu peers grappling with organic overload. These pairings aren't mere formalities; they're catalysts for innovation. As Khattar noted during the launch, "This is among the largest endeavors in urban waste management, time-bound to deliver tangible results."
Citizen engagement forms a cornerstone, amplified by SHS 2025's theme of "Swachhotsav." The launch featured the release of the SHS 2025 Anthem by Khattar, alongside Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, urging collective participation. Mentors will conduct awareness drives, leveraging apps like Swachhata for real-time feedback, ensuring behavioral shifts from households to hotspots.
Broader Implications for Urban India
SSJ's ripple effects extend beyond waste bins. By bridging performance gaps, it promotes equity in urban development, vital as India urbanizes at 2.3% annually, adding 10 million city dwellers yearly. Environmentally, enhanced segregation could divert 20-30% more waste from landfills, curbing methane emissions—a key climate win. Economically, it unlocks green jobs in recycling and waste-to-energy, aligning with circular economy goals.
Socially, the program empowers women and informal waste pickers through skill-building, integrating them into formal chains as seen in mentors like Bhopal. Health benefits are profound: reduced open dumping means fewer vector-borne diseases, improving quality of life in dense slums.
Challenges loom, however. Resource-strapped mentees may struggle with implementation, and inter-state coordination could falter without vigilant oversight. Yet, MoHUA's strategic backing— including virtual platforms for quarterly reviews—mitigates these. As Secretary Katikithala affirmed, "Every mentee must improve by learning from the best."
Voices from the Ground: Enthusiasm Builds
Social media buzz post-launch reflects grassroots excitement. GHMC's X post celebrated its MoU signings, vowing to "raise the spirit of promising clean cities through mentor-mentee partnerships." Swachh Bharat Urban's official handle shared visuals of the anthem release, tagging #SwachhataHiSeva2025. Earlier, in August, Minister Khattar previewed SSJ on X, praising its "Each One Teach One" ethos for a "cleaner, healthier urban India."Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, present at the Sonipat event, lauded the initiative's alignment with state goals, while urban development ministers from across India endorsed the MoUs, signaling unified commitment.
A Cleaner Horizon Ahead
As Swachh Shehar Jodi 2025 takes flight, it rekindles the Swachh Bharat flame ignited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a decade ago. From the 2014 pledge to make India defecation-free by 2019—achieved ahead of schedule—to today's focus on sustainable waste ecosystems, the mission evolves. SSJ isn't just about pairing cities; it's about weaving a national fabric of shared responsibility, where top performers illuminate paths for others.
In 100 days, we'll see prototypes of this synergy: cleaner streets in mentee towns, empowered officials, and inspired citizens. By Swachh Survekshan 2026, expect a tighter leaderboard, with more cities vying for the top. As Khattar aptly put it, this is "no city left behind." In the quest for a Garbage-Free India, Swachh Shehar Jodi is the bridge to tomorrow's urban promise—sustainable, inclusive, and spotless.
Conclusion
The launch of Swachh Shehar Jodi 2025 marks a pivotal moment in India's urban sanitation journey, embodying the Swachh Bharat Mission's ethos of collective progress and inclusivity. By pairing 72 mentor cities with 200 mentees, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has set a bold course to bridge disparities in waste management, leveraging peer learning to drive measurable outcomes. As these partnerships unfold over the 100-day pilot phase, they promise cleaner streets, empowered communities, and sustainable urban ecosystems. With robust policy support, citizen engagement, and a shared vision of a Garbage-Free India, SSJ 2025 is not just a program but a movement—one that redefines urban cleanliness and sets the stage for a healthier, greener tomorrow. By Swachh Survekshan 2026, the nation will witness the transformative power of collaboration, ensuring no city is left behind in the pursuit of swachhata.
FAQ: Swachh Shehar Jodi 2025
Q. What is Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) 2025?
SSJ 2025 is a mentorship program under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, launched by MoHUA on September 27, 2025, pairing 72 top-performing mentor cities with ~200 mentee cities to improve urban waste management through knowledge sharing.
Q. What is the goal of SSJ 2025?
To enhance sanitation and waste management in mentee cities by replicating best practices from mentor cities, aiming for measurable improvements by Swachh Survekshan 2026.
Q. How are cities paired?
Mentor cities, selected from Swachh Survekshan 2024's top performers and Super Swachh League, are paired with mentee cities based on geographical proximity and performance gaps.
Q. What activities are planned under SSJ?
A 100-day pilot phase involves co-developing action plans for waste segregation, legacy waste remediation, citizen engagement, and technology integration, supported by MoHUA.
Q. How is progress measured?
Success will be evaluated through Swachh Survekshan 2026 rankings, focusing on improvements in mentee cities' sanitation and waste management metrics.
Q. Who oversees the initiative?
MoHUA provides policy and funding support, while states ensure on-ground execution, with quarterly reviews via virtual platforms.
Q. How can citizens participate?
Citizens can engage through awareness campaigns, Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 initiatives, and apps like Swachhata for real-time feedback on local cleanliness efforts.