UP Leads in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 with 6 Spots in Top 10
People take bath at Sangam in Mahakumbh Prayagraj Image credit UP Info Dept
6 out of Top 10 Clean Cities from Uttar Pradesh; State Sweeps Awards for Urban Sanitation and Innovation
By AMIT KUMAR
LUCKNOW, July 17, 2025 — Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a national frontrunner in urban cleanliness, bagging top honours in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, the Government of India’s flagship cleanliness survey. The state’s consistent drive for sanitation reform has borne impressive results, with six UP cities featuring among the top 10 cleanest in India.
At a grand award ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious accolades. UP Cabinet Minister A.K. Sharma accepted the honours on behalf of the state.
Capital city Lucknow clinched the third spot among cities with a population above 10 lakh, earning the Presidential Award. It also became the first city in the state to receive the coveted 7-star Garbage Free City (GFC) rating, marking a historic achievement in waste management and urban hygiene.
Prayagraj Tops Ganga Cities, Bags Mahakumbh Honour
Prayagraj was named the Cleanest Ganga City, recognized for its dedicated cleanliness efforts along the sacred river. The city also received special recognition for its Swachh Mahakumbh 2025 campaign—an ambitious initiative by the Yogi government that integrates sustainable sanitation practices with cultural heritage.
Gorakhpur bagged third place in the Safai Mitra Surakshit Sheher category for its safety protocols for sanitation workers and ranked fourth among cities with populations between 3 to 10 lakh. The city also earned a 5-star GFC rating, underlining its solid waste management success and commitment to inclusive sanitation.
Agra was lauded as Uttar Pradesh’s Emerging Clean City, securing 10th place nationally. With its recent 5-star GFC rating, Agra continues its upward journey in sanitation standards, now viewed as a model for progressive urban cleanliness in heritage cities.
Moradabad secured the 10th position in the 3–10 lakh population bracket. In the medium city category, Bijnor (29th) and Shamshabad (95th) also made their mark, highlighting the depth of UP’s urban sanitation reforms that span across large and small municipalities alike.
Swachh Mahakumbh 2025 Award to UP
Uttar Pradesh was also honoured with the Swachh Mahakumbh 2025 Award for its innovative and sustainable planning for the upcoming grand religious gathering. The award acknowledges the government’s successful fusion of spiritual events with modern sanitation systems, reinforcing a vision of a clean, culturally vibrant state.
With six cities in the top ten, UP has firmly positioned itself as a leader in the national cleanliness movement. The Yogi Adityanath government’s emphasis on accountability, technology-driven waste management, and citizen engagement has elevated the state’s urban development benchmarks,” said the state government in a media statement.
Sharma praised the collective efforts of municipal bodies, sanitation workers, and citizens. “This historic success is a reflection of our government’s steadfast commitment to clean, healthy, and livable urban environments. Our model now stands as an example for the nation,” Sharma said.
Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 is conducted annually by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, ranking cities based on cleanliness, waste management, sanitation infrastructure, and citizen feedback. This year’s results underscore Uttar Pradesh’s transformation from laggard to torchbearer in India’s cleanliness revolution.
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