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21 August 2026

Expansion of mechanised sanitation scheme

The NAMASTE scheme is a flagship government intervention directly addressing the welfare of vulnerable sections and the critical governance issue of manual scavenging, making it highly relevant for UPSC Mains.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme launched in 2023-24 to eradicate sewer and septic tank deaths.
  • Social Justice Ministry proposing expansion of NAMASTE to rural India, including drain cleaners, sewage treatment plant (STP) workers, and faecal sludge treatment plant workers.
  • Proposed outlay for expanded scheme: ₹498.73 crore from current fiscal year to 2030-31.
  • Scheme components: Capital subsidies (up to 50% of project cost) for self-employment, emergency response sanitation units, training, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Data: 498 deaths reported in hazardous cleaning of sewers/septic tanks between 2019 and June 2026.
  • Profiling: 90,915 sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) and 1.3 lakh waste pickers identified as of 2025-26.
  • Implementation challenges: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) reports high rejection rates for capital subsidy and self-employment applications.
  • Low uptake: As of March 31, only 810 SSWs approved for capital subsidies (147 received funds); 2,652 projects approved for 58,000 identified manual scavengers.

Questions

  1. Discuss the significance of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme in addressing the occupational hazards faced by sanitation workers in India. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Despite institutional frameworks like the NAMASTE scheme, the transition from manual to mechanised sanitation faces significant implementation hurdles. Analyze the systemic challenges in the delivery of social welfare benefits to sanitation workers and suggest measures for improvement. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. The NAMASTE scheme, recently in the news, is primarily aimed at which of the following objectives?

Syllabus

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Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-21/expansion-of-mechanised-sanitation-scheme