Indore Wins Cleanest City Ranking Yet Again, Beating Thousands in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25
Indore has done it again. For the eighth consecutive year, the city has earned the title of India’s cleanest city, defending its crown with firmness and flair. The announcement was made by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday as the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards were unveiled.
This latest honor places Indore at the top of the “Super Swachh League Cities” category, a new classification introduced in this year’s assessment. For many residents, this victory is not just another trophy — it’s a reflection of sustained civic responsibility and a culture of cleanliness that seems to have etched itself into the city’s DNA.
Timeline of Events
- 2016: The Swachh Survekshan initiative officially launched with 73 cities participating.
- 2017-2023: Indore bagged the top position every single year, jointly held with Surat in 2023.
- 2024: More than 4,500 cities participated, and Indore retained the crown with excellent overall scores.
The sheer jump in participation — from 73 cities in 2016 to over 4,500 in 2024 — underscores just how seriously urban India is now taking cleanliness and sanitation.
Official Statements
“With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and transparency, the initiative encompassed the assessment of over 11 lakh households…” — Government release, Swachh Survekshan 2024-25
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), under the central government’s Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, orchestrated this country-wide assessment exercise. It took a team of over 3,000 assessors nearly 45 days to inspect and assess these cities down to every urban ward.
This wasn’t just about tallying garbage bins or landfill use. The process involved detailed surveys that looked into home sanitation, public toilet usage, cleanliness of roads and markets, and waste segregation and recycling practices.
What Sets Indore Apart?
Frankly, it’s not just about funding or policy — Indore residents have developed a kind of emotional attachment to cleanliness. You hear it in casual café conversations or see it in the way people separate their waste without being instructed.
The local government has consistently invested in better waste management infrastructure like:
- 100% door-to-door garbage collection.
- Night cleaning drives in commercial areas.
- Real-time waste tracking through GPS-enabled vehicles.
- On-ground sanitation teams deployed round the clock.
And it’s not just government efforts. Volunteers, schools, residents — all chip in. Small children often correct adults about littering. That’s rare. It’s social accountability, really.
Other Cities That Made the List
While Indore held the top spot among cities with over one million residents, a few others also stood out:
- Surat: Cleanest runner-up in cities over one million population.
- Navi Mumbai: Continued its steady climb in the rankings.
- Vijayawada: Notched a mention in the top tier yet again.
- Noida: Took the lead in the three to 10 lakh population category.
- NDMC: Best among areas in New Delhi region.
- Vita (Maharashtra) and Panchgani: Top cities under 50,000 and 20,000 population, respectively.
Why the Super League Category Matters
This year’s assessment introduced the “Super Swachh League Cities” category — a way of spotlighting high-performing cities consistently scoring well over the years. Indore’s continued presence at the top, even in this new setup, reaffirms its position.
Interestingly, Surat — a city that once scrambled to rebuild its image post a plague breakout — now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Indore. That’s a turnaround story in itself.
Community Response
Social media was immediately abuzz. Indore locals took to celebrating their city’s win, with many posting snapshots of clean roads, green parks, and even their waste-segregated bins. For a city that’s used to being on top, the enthusiasm hasn’t worn off.
A resident, Shalini Singh, shared online: “Every time we win, it feels a little like Diwali came early. Guess we just love a clean home and a cleaner city.”
Municipal workers were reportedly presented with sweets by grateful residents — a small, but touching gesture that captures the sentiment in the city right now.
Behind the Numbers: The Survey Process
Here’s a quick look at how this immense evaluation played out:
- 4,500+ urban bodies evaluated
- 11 lakh+ households surveyed
- 45 days of uninterrupted inspections
- 3,000+ trained assessors
- Parameters included: waste disposal, sanitation, citizen engagement, and innovation
It’s one of the toughest civic bureaucratic tasks attempted each year — and perhaps, one of the most needed.
What’s Next?
Indore may be walking tall, but the city knows holding the top spot comes with enormous expectations. Other cities are catching up — quickly. Last time it was a tie with Surat. This time, Navi Mumbai isn’t far behind.
City officials are already speaking about next year. Plans include:
- Boosting household composting capabilities
- Increasing fines for littering
- Expanding recycling plants
- Launching cleaner air campaigns
Cynics would argue that these rankings fade from conversation within weeks. Maybe. But for cities like Indore, the impact stays. Clean parks, healthier public spaces, a feeling that your city has its act together — those things linger.
Final Thoughts
Indore’s clean city status may not come as a shock anymore, but its consistency certainly impresses. From a municipal experiment to a national standout, the journey has been long and visibly tough.
The hope — if that’s the word — is that more cities start seeing this as more than an annual competition. It’s the people, not just the policies, that shape cities. And in places like Indore, it seems both are working in sync.
