swachh

Swachh is a term used in Hindi and many related Indian languages meaning clean or spotless. Written as स्वच्छ in Devanagari, the word is derived from Sanskrit and is commonly used to describe cleanliness in both everyday speech and formal branding. In public discourse, the word frequently appears in campaigns and programs that promote sanitation, cleanliness, and hygienic practices.

The most prominent contemporary use of the term is in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), launched by the Government of India in 2014. The campaign aimed to improve sanitation, promote hygiene, and eliminate open defecation through the construction of toilets, waste-management infrastructure, and behavior-change initiatives. It encompassed separate rural and urban components and sought to transform cleanliness practices across the country, with a target timeline that evolved over the years.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan gave rise to related initiatives and metrics, including Swachh Survekshan, an annual city-cleanliness survey that ranks Indian cities based on sanitation, waste-management, and public-health indicators. The term swachh has also been used in other government and civil society campaigns and programs focused on school cleanliness, urban sanitation, and public hygiene.

Impact and reception of Swachh-related programs have been mixed in assessment. Proponents point to increased toilet construction, extended sanitation infrastructure, and heightened public awareness. Critics have questioned data reliability, regional disparities, and the sustainability of behavior changes. Nevertheless, the Swachh designation remains a recognizable symbol in India’s ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and public health.