DOWR, RD & GR to Launch Special Campaign 6 from Oct 2-31, 2026

29 Sep DOWR, RD & GR to Launch Special Campaign 6 from Oct 2-31, 2026

✎ Special Campaign 6 is a DARPG-coordinated initiative by DoWR, RD & GR (2 Oct–31 Oct 2026) to institutionalise cleanliness, ensure timely disposal of pending references, and promote scientific e-waste management in government…

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper II — Governance, Transparency and Accountability  |  GS Paper III — Environmental Governance and Sustainable Development
• Prelims: Special Campaign 6, E-waste management, Swachh Bharat Mission, Digital India, E-office, Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), E-governance, Sustainable Office Practices
• Essay: Governance and Cleanliness: The Role of Administrative Reforms in Nation-Building, Sustainable Development and Environmental Responsibility in Public Administration

Quick Revision: Special Campaign 6 is a DARPG-coordinated initiative by DoWR, RD & GR (2 Oct–31 Oct 2026) to institutionalise cleanliness, ensure timely disposal of pending references, and promote scientific e-waste management in government offices.

Why is this in the news?

The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has announced the implementation of ‘Special Campaign 6’ from 2 October to 31 October 2026. This initiative, aligned with the guidelines of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), aims to institutionalise cleanliness practices, improve space management, and ensure timely disposal of pending references, including VIP/PMO matters. The campaign also focuses on scientific e-waste management, reflecting a broader commitment to environmentally responsible office practices and sustainable governance.

Background

• Special Campaigns are time-bound, outcome-focused initiatives launched by the Government of India to enhance efficiency, transparency, and cleanliness in public offices. These campaigns are coordinated by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• The DoWR, RD & GR is a key department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, responsible for the management of water resources, river development, and the rejuvenation of the Ganga river basin.
• The campaign builds on the principles of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which aims to achieve cleanliness and sanitation across all sectors, including government offices.
• E-waste management has emerged as a critical environmental challenge, necessitating scientific disposal mechanisms to mitigate health and ecological risks.
• The campaign aligns with the broader objectives of e-governance, including the use of digital platforms for efficient file management and grievance redressal.
• The DoWR, RD & GR has demonstrated measurable progress in previous campaigns, including the disposal of public grievances, PMO references, and parliamentary assurances.

What is Special Campaign 6?

• Special Campaign 6 is a month-long initiative (2 October to 31 October 2026) launched by the DoWR, RD & GR to institutionalise cleanliness, improve space management, and ensure timely disposal of pending references in government offices.
• The campaign is conducted in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric governance.
• Key focus areas include the scientific management of e-waste, which involves the effective collection, segregation, and disposal of electronic waste in compliance with regulatory frameworks.
• The campaign aims to integrate cleanliness and sustainability into daily office practices, thereby contributing to environmentally responsible governance.
• It includes systematic reviews of pending VIP/PMO references, public grievances, and parliamentary assurances to ensure their timely resolution.
• Space management is another critical component, with efforts to free up unused or underutilised office spaces and ensure their optimal utilisation.
• The campaign leverages digital tools such as the E-office system and the SCDPM portal of DARPG for real-time monitoring and progress tracking of activities and outcomes.
• The initiative is not a one-time effort but builds on the achievements of previous campaigns, including the disposal of over 3,800 public grievances and 132 PMO references between November 2025 and August 2026.

Key Features

Feature	Significance
Institutionalisation of Cleanliness Practices	Ensures daily adherence to cleanliness norms in government offices, aligning with the Swachh Bharat Mission’s principles of sustainable public hygiene.
Space Management Improvement	Optimises utilisation of physical office spaces, reducing clutter and enhancing administrative efficiency.
Timely Disposal of VIP/PMO References	Accelerates resolution of high-priority administrative references to maintain citizen-centric governance.
E-Waste Scientific Management	Mandates systematic collection, segregation, and disposal of e-waste, reducing environmental hazards and promoting circular economy principles.
Monitoring via SCDPM Portal	Enables real-time tracking of progress through the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances’ portal, ensuring accountability.

Why it Matters

Governance & Administrative Efficiency

• Enhances transparency and efficiency in public office operations through structured campaigns.
• Reduces pendency of administrative references, aligning with the principles of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’.
• Strengthens citizen trust in government processes by ensuring timely redressal of grievances.

Environmental Sustainability

• Promotes eco-friendly office practices by mandating scientific e-waste management.
• Contributes to India’s commitments under international environmental agreements (e.g., Basel Convention).
• Reduces carbon footprint of government operations through sustainable resource utilisation.

Economic Implications

• Generates revenue through systematic disposal of scrap and e-waste (e.g., ₹2.6 crore in 2025-26).
• Reduces long-term costs associated with improper waste management and office inefficiencies.

Challenges

1. Resistance to Cultural Change

• Entrenched bureaucratic practices may hinder adoption of new cleanliness and waste management protocols.
• Requires sustained awareness campaigns and capacity-building initiatives.

UPSC Link: SOCIAL CHANGE

2. Infrastructure Gaps

• Limited availability of certified e-waste processing facilities in certain regions.
• Inadequate storage and segregation infrastructure in older government buildings.

UPSC Link: ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

3. Data Management & Monitoring

• Ensuring accurate and real-time reporting on the SCDPM portal requires robust digital infrastructure.
• Risk of underreporting or delayed updates due to administrative bottlenecks.

UPSC Link: E-GOVERNANCE

4. Resource Allocation

• Allocating dedicated funds and manpower for campaign implementation may strain departmental budgets.
• Balancing campaign priorities with routine administrative functions.

UPSC Link: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

5. Inter-Departmental Coordination

• Requires seamless collaboration between multiple wings of the department and external agencies.
• Potential delays due to lack of synchronised action plans.

UPSC Link: INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Issue	Concern
Bureaucratic Inertia	Reluctance to adopt new practices due to long-standing habits.
E-Waste Processing Capacity	Shortage of certified facilities for safe disposal.
Digital Divide	Inadequate IT infrastructure in remote offices for portal reporting.
Financial Constraints	Limited budget allocation for campaign logistics and training.
Stakeholder Engagement	Ensuring participation from all levels of staff and external partners.

Way Forward

• Conduct pre-campaign awareness workshops for all staff on cleanliness and e-waste protocols.
• Identify and allocate dedicated funds for infrastructure upgrades in high-priority offices.
• Establish a grievance redressal mechanism for staff to report implementation challenges.
• Leverage the SCDPM portal for real-time monitoring and publish weekly progress reports.
• Collaborate with state pollution control boards to identify certified e-waste processors.
• Incentivise high-performing units through recognition or performance-linked rewards.
• Integrate campaign goals into annual performance appraisals for accountability.
• Conduct post-campaign audits to assess impact and identify areas for improvement.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Special Campaign 6’ to be implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR):
1. It will be implemented from 2 October to 31 October 2026.
2. The campaign focuses exclusively on the disposal of pending VIP references.
3. E-waste management is a key component of the campaign.
4. The campaign is aligned with the guidelines of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: All four — Statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect as the campaign addresses multiple areas including cleanliness, space management, and disposal of pending references, not exclusively VIP references.

Q2. Assertion (A): The Special Campaign 6 by DoWR, RD & GR places significant emphasis on the scientific management of e-waste in government offices.
Reason (R): The campaign aims to institutionalise sustainable office practices and contribute to environmentally responsible governance.

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: ? — Both the assertion and reason are true. The campaign indeed prioritises scientific e-waste management, and this is part of its broader goal to institutionalise sustainable and environmentally responsible office practices.

Mains Practice Question

✍ Critically examine the significance and objectives of ‘Special Campaign 6’ launched by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR). How does this campaign align with the broader principles of good governance and citizen-centric administration? Also, discuss the challenges in institutionalising such campaigns in government offices. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:

1. **Introduction (2 Marks)**
– Brief context: Role of DARPG in promoting administrative reforms and cleanliness drives.
– Definition and scope of Special Campaign 6: Duration (2 Oct–31 Oct 2026), departments involved, and key focus areas (swachhata, space management, disposal of pending references, e-waste management).

2. **Objectives and Significance (5 Marks)**
– **Swachhata Institutionalisation**: Link to Swachh Bharat Mission and the need for cleanliness as a daily practice in government offices.
– **Space Management**: Importance of efficient utilisation of office space and de-cluttering to improve productivity and transparency.
– **Disposal of Pending References**: Focus on VIP/PMO references and public grievances to enhance responsiveness and accountability.
– **E-waste Management**: Scientific disposal of e-waste as part of sustainable office practices and environmental responsibility (reference to E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022).
– **Transparency and Efficiency**: Alignment with citizen-centric governance and the principles of DARPG’s guidelines.

3. **Alignment with Good Governance Principles (4 Marks)**
– **Transparency**: Real-time monitoring via SCDPM portal (Self-Certified Disposal Progress Monitoring) as per DARPG guidelines.
– **Accountability**: Targets for disposal of pending matters and public grievances, with measurable outcomes (e.g., 3,878 public grievances disposed of between Nov 2025–Aug 2026).
– **Citizen-Centricity**: Focus on reducing pendency in VIP/PMO references to improve public trust.
– **Sustainability**: Emphasis on e-waste management and environmentally responsible office practices.

4. **Challenges in Institutionalisation (3 Marks)**
– **Cultural Resistance**: Overcoming bureaucratic inertia and resistance to change in traditional office practices.
– **Resource Constraints**: Limited infrastructure for e-waste segregation and disposal in some offices.
– **Monitoring and Compliance**: Ensuring sustained compliance beyond the campaign period and avoiding superficial participation.
– **Awareness Gaps**: Training and sensitisation of staff on scientific waste management and cleanliness protocols.

5. **Conclusion (1 Mark)**
– Summarise the campaign’s role in promoting good governance and its potential long-term impact on administrative efficiency and environmental sustainability.
– Emphasise the need for continuous monitoring and periodic reviews to ensure lasting institutionalisation of reforms.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

---

Generated by AanyaAi for educational purpose.

---

Related guides on our sites

• Anthropology VS PSIR
• Best PSIR optional coaching
• Best PSIR optional coaching online
• Best PSIR optional teacher