SBM-U 2.0
Swachh Bharat Mission — Urban 2.0
Swachh Bharat Mission — Urban (SBM-U) is India's comprehensive urban sanitation programme launched on 2 October 2014 (Gandhi Jayanti). Over a decade, it has fundamentally transformed urban India's sanitation landscape.
**Phase 1 (2014–2021) — ODF India:**
The primary goal was eliminating open defecation in all 4,715 urban local bodies (ULBs). Achievement: 66+ lakh Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) built, 5+ lakh community/public toilet seats constructed, and all 4,715 ULBs declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). This was a landmark achievement — urban India's ODF status was verified by third-party assessors.
**Phase 2 — SBM-U 2.0 (2021–2026):**
Moving beyond just ODF to "garbage-free cities" with:
- **ODF+**: ODF status sustained + toilets functional, clean, well-maintained with handwashing
- **ODF++**: ODF+ + safe containment, conveyance, and treatment of faecal sludge (no mixing with groundwater)
- **Water+**: Treated wastewater is reused (irrigation, industrial use)
- **1-Star/3-Star/5-Star Garbage-Free City Rating**: Based on solid waste management — source segregation, processing, landfill management
**Swachh Survekshan — The Accountability Engine:**
The annual Swachh Survekshan survey ranks all cities on cleanliness, solid waste management, and citizen satisfaction. Indore has won the #1 ranking for 7 consecutive years (2017–2024). The public ranking system creates powerful incentive for cities to improve. Citizens can submit feedback through the Swachh Survekshan app.
**How to Get a Free Toilet (BPL Families):**
Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) are provided to BPL urban households without toilets. The Central grant is ₹10,000–₹12,000 per toilet. Eligible households apply through their Urban Local Body or online through sbmurban.org.
**Solid Waste Management (SWM):**
SBM-U 2.0 requires:
- Door-to-door waste collection with segregated bins (wet/dry/hazardous)
- 100% source segregation at household level
- Processing: wet waste → composting/biogas, dry waste → recycling, hazardous → safe disposal
- Zero new unscientific dumpsites; existing legacy dumpsites to be remediated
Key Objectives
- Sustain and strengthen urban ODF status through ODF+ and ODF++ certification.
- Achieve 100% source segregation and scientific solid waste processing in all ULBs.
- Make all statutory towns 'garbage-free' by 2026 through integrated SWM.
- Treat and reuse wastewater — achieve Water+ certification for cities.
- Remediate all legacy dumpsites — eliminate open burning and leachate pollution.
Benefits
Eligibility
- Urban BPL households without an existing toilet — for IHHL grant
- All urban residents benefit from solid waste management and ODF certification
- Slum communities — priority for community toilet construction
- IHHL applicant must be a resident of the urban area (within ULB limits)
- Must not have a functional toilet on the premises
- BPL certificate or ULB verification of eligibility required for IHHL grant
How to Apply
For Individual Household Toilet (IHHL):
Step 1: Visit your ward office or municipal corporation office
Step 2: Submit application with Aadhaar, proof of urban residence, and BPL status proof
Step 3: ULB verifies no existing toilet at premises through physical inspection
Step 4: If eligible, toilet construction is commissioned (self-construction with grant OR ULB construction)
Step 5: ₹10,000–₹12,000 grant credited after construction completion and usage verification
For Swachh Survekshan feedback: download 'Swachh Survekshan' app and submit feedback
Required Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a free toilet under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban?
Visit your local municipal ward office with Aadhaar, proof of urban residence, and self-declaration of no existing toilet. Alternatively, apply online at sbmurban.org if your city has an online IHHL application portal. The ULB will inspect your premises to confirm eligibility. After inspection, toilet construction is arranged and ₹10,000–₹12,000 is released (directly or post-construction).
What is the Swachh Survekshan and how are cities ranked?
Swachh Survekshan is an annual cleanliness survey by MoHUA ranking all 4,715 urban local bodies. Assessment is on three components: (1) direct observation — cleanliness, toilet availability, solid waste management inspected by survey teams (30% weight); (2) service level progress — IHHL built, ODF status, waste processed (30% weight); (3) citizen feedback — through Swachh Survekshan app and direct survey (40% weight). Indore has topped rankings 7 consecutive years.
What is ODF, ODF+, and ODF++? Which is my city?
ODF (Open Defecation Free): no open defecation — all residents have access to toilets. ODF+: ODF sustained + all toilets are functional, clean, well-maintained with handwashing. ODF++: ODF+ + faecal sludge from septic tanks is safely collected, treated, and disposed — not dumped in drains or fields. Check your city's ODF status at sbmurban.org → ODF Status → Search city.
There are overflowing garbage bins in my area. Who do I report to?
Report through the Swachh Survekshan app — take a photo and geo-tag the complaint. Alternatively, call your city's sanitation helpline (listed on your municipal corporation website) or the SBM-U helpline 1800-11-4477. Most municipalities have a WhatsApp number for sanitation complaints. Your ward councillor's office is also a direct escalation point.
How do I check if my city is 5-Star Garbage-Free rated?
Check sbmurban.org → Garbage-Free Star Ratings → Select state and city. As of 2024, 10+ cities have achieved 5-Star Garbage-Free City status including Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai. 3-Star cities number in the hundreds. The rating requires: 100% door-to-door collection, 100% source segregation, 100% processing of wet and dry waste, zero open dumping.