UPSC Alert: Department of Pharmaceuticals launches ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ 2026 for clean governance

16 Sep UPSC Alert: Department of Pharmaceuticals launches ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ 2026 for clean governance

✎ ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ is an institutional cleanliness campaign under the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, integrating waste management, pest control, and green initiatives to promote public health and sustainable governance.

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper II — Governance, Transparency and Accountability  |  GS Paper III — Environment and Sustainable Development
• Prelims: Swachh Bharat Mission, Swachhta Pakhwada, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), Jan Aushadhi Kendra, Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat
• Essay: Role of public institutions in fostering societal well-being through cleanliness and hygiene, Sustainable development and public health: The intersection of governance and community participation

Quick Revision: ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ is an institutional cleanliness campaign under the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, integrating waste management, pest control, and green initiatives to promote public health and sustainable governance.

Why is this in the news?

The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, observed ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ from 1 to 15 September 2026, conducting extensive cleanliness drives across its offices, NIPER institutions, and PSUs. This initiative aligns with the broader national vision of ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’ and underscores the intersection of institutional governance, public health, and environmental sustainability in the pharmaceutical sector.

Background

• The ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ initiative is a recurring annual programme launched by the Government of India to promote cleanliness, hygiene, and sustainable practices across government departments and institutions.
• It is a component of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ (SBM), which was launched in 2014 with the objective of achieving universal sanitation, hygiene, and cleanliness by 2 October 2019, and has since been extended to encompass broader environmental and public health goals.
• The pharmaceutical sector, including PSUs and educational institutions like NIPER, plays a critical role in ensuring access to medicines and medical devices, making institutional cleanliness vital for public health outcomes.
• The Department of Pharmaceuticals oversees several PSUs such as Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL), Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited (BCPL), and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which operates the Jan Aushadhi Kendras network.
• The initiative reflects the government’s emphasis on participatory governance, where employees and stakeholders are actively engaged in maintaining clean and hygienic environments.
• The programme also highlights the integration of environmental sustainability practices, such as waste management, pest control, and green initiatives like tree plantation, within institutional operations.

What is ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’?

• ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ is a fortnight-long campaign observed by the Government of India to promote cleanliness, hygiene, and sustainable practices across ministries, departments, and public sector entities.
• The campaign is a key instrument of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ and aligns with the broader national goal of ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’, which seeks to create clean and healthy living environments for all citizens.
• During the campaign, government departments conduct cleanliness drives, awareness programmes, waste segregation, and maintenance activities in their offices, campuses, and surrounding areas.
• The initiative emphasises participatory governance, encouraging employees, students, and stakeholders to take ownership of cleanliness and hygiene in their workplaces and communities.
• ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ also includes activities such as repair and disposal of obsolete furniture and electronic equipment, pest control measures, and green initiatives like tree plantation and landscaping.
• The campaign is not merely symbolic but includes measurable outcomes such as the number of cleanliness drives conducted, waste managed, and awareness programmes organised.
• It serves as a platform for departments to review and strengthen their internal processes for waste management, sanitation, and hygiene, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• The initiative fosters a culture of cleanliness and sustainability within institutions, which is critical for public health, environmental protection, and institutional efficiency.

Key Features

Feature	Significance
Institutional Participation	Involvement of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, NIPERs, and PSUs underscores the integration of Swachh Bharat Mission principles across the entire pharmaceutical governance ecosystem.
Mass Participation	Active engagement of officials, employees, faculty, students, and community members in cleanliness drives fosters a culture of collective responsibility for public health.
Comprehensive Cleanliness Activities	Includes shramdaan, waste management reviews, pest control campaigns, and repurposing of obsolete office assets, ensuring multi-dimensional sanitation.
Awareness Generation	Organised programmes during the fortnight reinforce the link between cleanliness, hygiene, and public health outcomes, aligning with the PM’s vision of ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’.
Institutional Capacity Building	Training and participation in NIPERs enhance institutional capabilities for maintaining hygienic academic and research environments.

Why it Matters

Public Health Governance

• Demonstrates the integration of sanitation as a core governance function within the pharmaceutical sector, directly impacting drug safety and public health standards.
• Highlights the role of cleanliness in preventing contamination in pharmaceutical manufacturing, storage, and research facilities, thereby ensuring quality control.
• Reinforces the principle that institutional hygiene is a prerequisite for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Administrative Efficiency

• Showcases the implementation of systematic waste management, including repair, disposal, and repurposing of obsolete assets, which optimises resource utilisation.
• Illustrates the adoption of pest control measures in office premises, reducing health hazards and preserving infrastructure integrity.
• Promotes streamlined administrative processes through structured cleanliness drives, enhancing operational discipline.

Community Engagement

• Encourages grassroots participation in sanitation initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership among employees, students, and local communities.
• Strengthens the outreach of cleanliness campaigns to peripheral areas, such as Jan Aushadhi Kendra, extending the benefits of sanitation to underserved populations.
• Serves as a model for other ministries and departments to emulate, thereby amplifying the national cleanliness agenda.

Institutional Culture

• Reinforces the ethos of collective responsibility and civic duty within government institutions, aligning with constitutional values of social welfare.
• Promotes environmental stewardship through activities like tree plantation in NIPER campuses, contributing to ecological balance.
• Sets a precedent for long-term behavioural change in institutional practices, embedding cleanliness as a non-negotiable norm.

Challenges

1. Sustaining Behavioural Change

• Ensuring that the momentum generated during Swachhata Pakhwada translates into long-term institutional habits and practices.
• Overcoming complacency in maintaining cleanliness standards post-campaign, particularly in high-footfall areas like Janpath Market.
• Addressing the challenge of resource constraints in implementing continuous cleanliness drives across diverse institutional settings.

UPSC Link: GS2: Governance

2. Waste Management Systems

• Developing robust systems for the systematic review, repair, disposal, and repurposing of obsolete office assets to prevent environmental degradation.
• Ensuring compliance with e-waste management rules and hazardous waste disposal protocols in pharmaceutical PSUs and research institutions.
• Balancing the need for waste reduction with the operational demands of pharmaceutical research and manufacturing facilities.

UPSC Link: GS3: Environment

3. Pest and Vector Control

• Implementing integrated pest management strategies to mitigate health risks in office and research environments.
• Addressing the challenge of pest infestations in storage areas, which can compromise the integrity of pharmaceutical products and research materials.
• Ensuring regular monitoring and preventive measures to avoid recurring pest-related issues.

UPSC Link: GS2: Health Governance

4. Institutional Coordination

• Facilitating seamless coordination between the Department of Pharmaceuticals, NIPERs, PSUs, and local authorities for sustained cleanliness initiatives.
• Aligning institutional cleanliness goals with broader national sanitation programmes, such as Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0.
• Ensuring uniformity in cleanliness standards across diverse institutional settings, including academic, administrative, and manufacturing units.

UPSC Link: GS2: Federalism

5. Community Outreach and Awareness

• Expanding the reach of cleanliness campaigns to marginalised communities and underserved areas, such as those served by Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
• Overcoming language and cultural barriers to ensure inclusive participation in sanitation drives.
• Sustaining public engagement through continuous awareness programmes and feedback mechanisms.

UPSC Link: GS2: Social Justice

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Issue	Concern
Resource Constraints	Limited financial and human resources may hinder the implementation of continuous cleanliness drives across institutions.
Behavioural Resistance	Institutional inertia and resistance to change may impede the adoption of new cleanliness practices.
Regulatory Compliance	Ensuring adherence to environmental and waste management regulations in pharmaceutical settings requires robust monitoring.
Infrastructure Gaps	Inadequate sanitation infrastructure in certain institutions may limit the effectiveness of cleanliness campaigns.
Monitoring and Evaluation	Lack of standardised metrics for assessing the impact of cleanliness initiatives poses challenges in measuring success.
Stakeholder Engagement	Ensuring sustained participation from all stakeholders, including employees, students, and local communities, remains a persistent challenge.

Way Forward

• Institutionalise Swachhata Pakhwada activities by integrating them into annual calendars of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, NIPERs, and PSUs to ensure continuity.
• Develop a standardised framework for cleanliness and waste management across all institutions under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, including training modules for staff.
• Strengthen pest control measures by collaborating with municipal authorities and adopting technology-driven monitoring systems.
• Expand community outreach programmes to include local communities, schools, and Jan Aushadhi Kendras in cleanliness drives.
• Establish a feedback mechanism to assess the impact of cleanliness initiatives and identify areas for improvement.
• Promote research on the correlation between institutional hygiene and public health outcomes to inform policy decisions.
• Encourage inter-ministerial coordination to align cleanliness initiatives with national programmes like Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0.
• Document best practices and case studies from NIPERs and PSUs to create a repository for replication across other institutions.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’:
1. It is a fortnight-long campaign focused on cleanliness and hygiene.
2. It is mandated by the Constitution of India under Directive Principles of State Policy.
3. The campaign is aligned with the ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’ vision of the Prime Minister.
4. It is exclusively implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Answer: Only three — Statements 1 and 3 are correct as ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ is a fortnight-long cleanliness campaign aligned with the ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’ vision. Statements 2 and 4 are incorrect as the campaign is not constitutionally mandated and is implemented across multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Q2. Assertion (A): The ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ campaign is primarily aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appeal of government offices.
Reason (R): The campaign includes activities like pest control, waste management, and repair of obsolete furniture in addition to cleanliness drives.

Options:
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: ? — Assertion (A) is false because the primary aim of ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ is to promote hygiene and sustainable waste management, not merely aesthetic appeal. Reason (R) is true as the campaign includes pest control, waste management, and repair of obsolete items.

Q3. Match the following initiatives with their respective ministries/departments:

Column I (Initiative) | Column II (Ministry/Department)
————————————————–|————————————
1. Swachhta Pakhwada | A. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
2. Ayushman Bharat | B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
3. Make in India | C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
4. Digital India | D. Ministry of Electronics and IT

Options:
A. 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D
B. 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D
C. 1-A, 2-B, 3-D, 4-C
D. 1-D, 2-A, 3-B, 4-C

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D

Answer: A — 1. Swachhta Pakhwada is implemented by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (A). 2. Ayushman Bharat is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (B). 3. Make in India is implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (C). 4. Digital India is implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (D).

Mains Practice Question

✍ The ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ initiative, as exemplified by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, underscores the role of institutional cleanliness in public health governance. Critically examine the significance of such campaigns in achieving the objectives of the ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’ mission. Also, analyse the challenges in ensuring sustained community participation in such initiatives. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:

1. **Introduction (2 Marks)**
– Define ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ and its alignment with the ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’ mission.
– Briefly state the role of the Department of Pharmaceuticals in implementing the campaign.

2. **Significance of Institutional Cleanliness in Public Health Governance (5 Marks)**
– **Preventive Health Measures**: Cleanliness reduces the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in pharmaceutical and healthcare settings where hygiene is critical.
– **Regulatory Compliance**: Adherence to cleanliness protocols ensures compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical industries.
– **Workplace Productivity**: A clean and healthy work environment enhances employee well-being and productivity, as highlighted in the Department of Pharmaceuticals’ campaign.
– **Public Perception and Trust**: Institutional cleanliness fosters public confidence in government institutions and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
– **Sustainability and Waste Management**: Integrated pest control and systematic waste disposal (e.g., repair, disposal, and recycling of obsolete furniture and electronic equipment) align with circular economy principles.

3. **Challenges in Sustaining Community Participation (5 Marks)**
– **Behavioral Resistance**: Cultural and behavioral inertia may lead to reluctance in adopting long-term cleanliness habits despite short-term campaign enthusiasm.
– **Resource Constraints**: Limited financial and human resources in government institutions can hinder the scalability and continuity of such initiatives.
– **Lack of Incentives**: Absence of tangible rewards or recognition for sustained participation may reduce long-term engagement.
– **Monitoring and Accountability**: Weak enforcement mechanisms and the absence of third-party audits can lead to superficial compliance rather than genuine behavioral change.
– **Top-Down Approach**: Over-reliance on administrative directives without grassroots-level ownership may limit the campaign’s effectiveness.

4. **Way Forward (3 Marks)**
– **Institutionalizing Cleanliness**: Integrate cleanliness protocols into standard operating procedures (SOPs) of government departments and PSUs.
– **Community Engagement**: Involve local communities, students, and NGOs in designing and monitoring cleanliness drives to foster ownership.
– **Technology and Data**: Use digital platforms for real-time monitoring, feedback, and recognition of best practices.
– **Capacity Building**: Conduct regular training programs on hygiene, waste management, and sustainable practices for employees and stakeholders.
– **Partnerships**: Collaborate with private sector entities for resource mobilization and knowledge sharing.

**Conclusion (2 Marks)**
– Reiterate the role of institutional cleanliness in achieving the ‘Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat’ mission.
– Emphasize the need for a shift from episodic campaigns to a culture of sustained cleanliness and hygiene.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

---

Generated by AanyaAi for educational purpose.

---

Related guides on our sites

• Best PSIR optional coaching for upsc
• Best PSIR optional teacher for upsc
• Best teacher of PSIR optional for upsc
• Best PSIR optional coaching in delhi for UPSC