National cleanliness survey findings to act as a wake-up call for Bengaluru

Bengaluru has been ranked the fifth dirtiest city in India among cities with a population of over one million, according to the Swachh Survekshan 2025 survey. The finding is a stark contradiction to the city’s image as a leading tech hub and the state government's ongoing infrastructure investments.

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Despite being home to several ambitious development projects under the Congress-led Karnataka government, Bengaluru struggled to meet basic cleanliness benchmarks. The survey, conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, placed the city alongside other poorly performing metros such as Ranchi, Chennai, Ludhiana, and Madurai.

In contrast, Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai were elevated to the ‘Super Swachh League’ for exceptional urban sanitation practices. Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow were named as India’s New Clean Cities, underscoring successful waste management and hygiene initiatives.

This year’s survey introduced a revised evaluation model to better accommodate both large metropolitan and smaller urban areas. The approach aimed to ensure fair competition and encourage cities of all sizes to strive for higher cleanliness standards.

Under the 'One City, One Award' model, 34 urban centers were recognized as ‘Promising Swachh Shehars’—the top performers in their respective states and union territories. The outcome reflects broader progress in urban sanitation across India.

The latest rankings act as a wake-up call for Bengaluru and similarly placed cities to prioritize hygiene and urban upkeep as central to their development agendas.