UP shines in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25; Lucknow ranks third cleanest city in India

Lucknow/New Delhi : Marching steadily on the path of development under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has recorded unprecedented success in the ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. The state has secured top positions and numerous prestigious awards across various categories for its outstanding initiatives in urban cleanliness and sanitation.

President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards during a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on Thursday. State Cabinet Minister A.K. Sharma received the honours on behalf of Uttar Pradesh. Notably,

Notably, ucknow secured the third position in the Clean City Award for cities with a population exceeding 10 lakh. It became the first city in the state to achieve a 7-star Garbage Free City (GFC) rating, a historic milestone. For this exceptional achievement, Lucknow was conferred the Presidential Award.

Prayagraj was adjudged the Cleanest Ganga City, lauded for its consistent efforts in maintaining cleanliness around the holy river, especially during large-scale cultural events like the Mahakumbh.
Agra, Gorakhpur, and Mahakumbh 2025 were recognized with the Award of Excellence, further highlighting the state’s strong sanitation framework.

Gorakhpur achieved double success, ranking third in the Safai Mitra Surakshit Sheher category and fourth among cities with a population between 3 to 10 lakh. The city also earned a 5-star GFC rating, showcasing its continued progress in solid waste management and commitment to worker safety.

With six cities from Uttar Pradesh now ranking among the top 20 cleanest big cities in India with above 5-star ratings, the state has firmly established itself as a national leader in urban cleanliness and sanitation reforms.

Agra has been recognized as the Emerging Clean City of Uttar Pradesh, securing the 32nd rank at the national level. The city’s growing commitment to urban sanitation, reflected in its 5-star Garbage Free City (GFC) rating, marks a significant milestone in its journey toward sustainable cleanliness. Agra continues to make significant strides in further improving its sanitation standards.

Moradabad has achieved an impressive 10th position in the 3–10 lakh population category. In the medium city category, Nagar Palika Parishad Bijnor and Shamshabad ranked 29th and 95th, respectively. These rankings highlight the effectiveness of Uttar Pradesh’s comprehensive approach to urban sanitation, which extends across cities of various sizes.

Uttar Pradesh has also been honoured with the Swachh Mahakumbh 2025 Award for its innovative and sustainable sanitation initiatives planned for the upcoming Mahakumbh. This award underscores the successful integration of cultural traditions with modern cleanliness practices, reinforcing the Yogi government’s vision of a clean and spiritually vibrant state.

Urban Development Minister A.K. Sharma stated that Uttar Pradesh’s outstanding performance in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 reflects the unwavering commitment of the Yogi Adityanath government to creating clean, healthy, and livable urban spaces. He highlighted key accomplishments such as Lucknow’s historic 7-star GFC rating, Agra’s recognition as an Emerging Clean City, and Prayagraj’s Ganga City Award as outcomes of the collective efforts of citizens, municipal bodies, and local governance institutions. He further emphasized the state’s goal to become the cleanest state in the country.

Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department noted that the state’s top rankings, GFC certifications, and advancements in ODF++ and Water+ categories are a result of systematic monitoring, rigorous training, and proactive supervision. Uttar Pradesh is undergoing a transformational shift in urban sanitation, with its municipal corporations and local bodies working diligently to meet and exceed national benchmarks. Building on the success of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, the state aims further to solidify its leadership in the field of urban cleanliness.

Million plus cities Ranking

1)Lucknow- 3

2)Agra- 10

3)Ghaziabad-11

4)Prayagraj-12

5)Kanpur-13

6)Varanasi- 17

7)Meerut-23

Garabage Free Cities Star Ranking- Nagar Nigams
1) 7 Star- 1
Lucknow

2) 5 Star- 5
Agra, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj

3)3 star – 6
Firozabad, Mathura, Ayodhya, Jhansi, Moradabad, Varanasi

4)1 Star -5
Aligarh, Bareily, Shahjahanpur, Meerut, Saharanpur