Swachh Survekshan 2025-26: Rudrapur Ranks First Among Himalayan Cities, Kashipur Wins Uttarakhand Award

The news

Rudrapur, the district headquarters of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand, has secured the first position among Himalayan cities in Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, the tenth edition of the annual urban cleanliness survey. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards at a ceremony in New Delhi on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Kashipur, also in Udham Singh Nagar district, was recognised as Uttarakhand's cleanest city. Jammu ranked second in the Himalayan cities category.

The survey covered more than 4,751 cities across the country and assessed them on 43 parameters, including door-to-door waste collection, waste segregation, solid waste management, public toilets, water management and citizen participation. Rudrapur Mayor Vikas Sharma said the award was not just the municipal corporation's achievement but a matter of pride for the entire city and state. He noted that in the previous survey Rudrapur had ranked 169th nationally, whereas the latest first position is in the Himalayan cities category, which is a different ranking basis.

What is the Swachh Survekshan survey?

Swachh Survekshan is an annual cleanliness survey of urban local bodies conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It was launched in 2016 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), which began on 2 October 2014. The survey ranks cities on sanitation parameters including open defecation free status, solid waste management, and citizen feedback. The Constitution's Twelfth Schedule lists public health, sanitation and solid waste management among the functions of municipalities.

What does the survey assess?

Swachh Survekshan is an annual exercise that evaluates cities on cleanliness and related urban services. The 2025-26 edition, the tenth, assessed more than 4,751 cities on 43 criteria covering household waste collection, segregation, solid waste management, public toilets, water management and citizen participation. The Himalayan cities category provides a distinct basis for recognition separate from the national ranking.

How did Rudrapur improve its performance?

Rudrapur had ranked 169th nationally in the previous survey, while its latest first position is in the Himalayan cities category. Mayor Vikas Sharma said the recognition increases the municipal corporation's responsibility and that efforts to keep every ward, neighbourhood, market and public place clean and orderly will be accelerated. The award was described as the result of collective efforts by sanitation workers and citizens.