Indore has once again made headlines as India’s cleanest city, achieving this title for an unprecedented eighth year in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the honours during a high-profile ceremony in New Delhi, with Surat and Navi Mumbai closely following as second and third. In the 3–10 lakh population bracket, Noida emerged as the frontrunner, with Chandigarh and Mysuru also earning acclaim.
This nationwide survey, one of the world’s largest, assessed 4,500+ cities across 54 indicators, emphasising both institutional innovation and citizen engagement on an unparalleled scale.
How Indore Built a Culture of Cleanliness
Indore’s streak of cleanliness is the result of persistent multi-layered strategies embraced by the city’s administration and citizens.
The Municipal Corporation’s investment in state-of-the-art waste processing units, notably the massive Gobar-Dhan bio-CNG plant, allows for the daily treatment of roughly 700 tonnes of wet waste converting garbage into clean fuel, which powers public buses and reduces landfill burden.
Enhanced waste segregation awareness, door-to-door collection, and prompt grievance redressal have fostered civic trust and collective pride. “This is not just the work of the municipal staff. Every Indori from schoolchildren to municipal workers feels personally responsible for our city,” shared Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav.
Adding to the voices, resident Kusum Sharma, a volunteer in her local ward campaign, said, “We conduct cleanliness drives every month.
For us, cleanliness is now a matter of honour and habit.” President Murmu highlighted the city’s “unique partnership between residents and local government an example for the rest of the nation to follow.”
A National Mission with Growing Momentum
The Swachh Survekshan, now in its ninth iteration, is more than a cleanliness competition—it is a societal movement. The 2024-25 edition introduced the ‘Super Swachh League,’ spotlighting cities that consistently perform at the highest level.
Over 3,000 assessors undertook an exhaustive 45-day field audit, complemented by direct interactions with more than 14 crore citizens through feedback campaigns and digital outreach.
The survey’s parameters ranged from sustainable waste management and technical innovation to inclusive sanitation and social equity, including special categories such as Ganga Towns and SafaiMitra Suraksha to acknowledge diverse challenges across the country.
“This year, we went beyond physical cleanliness to also rate inclusivity, worker safety, and green innovation,” explained Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi.
The ripple effect of Indore’s success is visible, with more cities such as Ujjain, Dewas, and Jabalpur demonstrating marked year-on-year improvements, encouraging healthy competition and policy replication nationwide.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Indore’s phenomenal journey is a tribute to what’s possible when an entire community governance, civil society, businesses, and ordinary residents unites behind a shared, positive mission. It reminds us that real transformation in urban India is driven by dignity of labour, social inclusivity, and persistent participation at every level.
The Logical Indian believes such successes create a ripple effect, inspiring social harmony, empathy, and civic leadership beyond city borders. The true test now is to make cleanliness not just an annual achievement, but a sustaining culture across all corners of India. What practical habits or community actions could help your neighbourhood or city reach and sustain such heights?
