Swachh Bharat Mission: Toilet Subsidy, ODF Plus Update & How to Apply
Clean surroundings are not just about beauty; they are about health, dignity, and pride. In a country where open defecation was once a harsh reality, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has changed the way we live, especially in rural India.
Launched in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this scheme has inspired crores of Indians to build toilets, adopt waste management, and take part in cleanliness drives. In 2025, Swachh Bharat Mission Phase 2 continues with a sharper focus on solid and liquid waste management, clean drinking water, and ODF Plus villages.
This mission is not just a scheme; it’s a national movement to ensure dignity for every Indian, especially women, children, and the elderly in villages.
What is Swachh Bharat Mission Yojana?
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a flagship sanitation program by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, started on 2nd October 2014, with the goal of making India Open Defecation Free (ODF).
The mission is divided into two parts:
- SBM-Gramin (Rural) – focuses on building toilets in villages
- SBM-Urban – focuses on cleanliness, toilets, and waste management in cities
In Phase 1 (2014–2019), over 11 crore toilets were built, and India was declared ODF in October 2019.
Now in Phase 2 (2020–2026), the mission focuses on:
- ODF Plus – villages that sustain ODF status and manage waste
- Greywater and solid waste management
- Community awareness for behavioral change
Who Can Apply and Benefit?
SBM is for everyone, but the main focus is on rural households, especially those:
- Without a toilet in their home
- Living in slums or low-income areas
- Needing support to build toilets or improve sanitation
- Interested in setting up local waste management systems
Under the scheme:
- Individual households can get financial support for toilet construction
- Panchayats and NGOs can receive funds for community toilets
- Urban local bodies can apply for waste treatment and segregation projects
Special attention is given to women-headed households, disabled individuals, and schools and Anganwadi centers.
What Benefits Will People Get?
Under the SBM scheme, the benefits include:
- ₹12,000 assistance per household for building toilets (including water facility) in rural areas
- Support for construction of community and public toilets
- Solid and liquid waste management infrastructure for panchayats
- Behavior change campaigns and Swachhata rallies
- Creation of ODF Plus model villages
- Technical and financial support to urban local bodies for better sanitation
Benefits are cashless and direct, paid to the beneficiary’s bank account after inspection.
Apart from financial help, the real benefit is in improved health, reduced disease, and increased dignity, especially for women and children who earlier had to go out in the open.
Latest Update in 2025
As of 2025, SBM 2.0 is progressing with full force. Here’s what’s new this year:
- Focus on 100% ODF Plus villages by March 2026
- Priority to plastic waste management in every district
- Installation of biogas plants and composting pits in rural areas
- Expansion of door-to-door waste collection in small towns
- Launch of Swachhata Green Awards to honor model villages and cities
- Strong use of Swachh Bharat App and dashboard for real-time updates
According to a government release:
“Over 75% villages have declared ODF Plus status, and more than 1.8 lakh community toilets have been built under SBM so far.” – (Source: PIB Press Release, March 2025)
What is the Process or Last Date?
There is no fixed last date to build toilets or apply for SBM support, but the current phase runs till March 2026. So, all local bodies and beneficiaries are advised to act soon to get help in time.
Rural Household Toilet Construction (SBM-Gramin):
- Contact your Gram Panchayat or Block Development Officer
- Fill out the toilet request form
- Give Aadhaar, bank details, and proof of land or residence
- After site verification, toilet construction begins
- Post-completion, inspection is done
- ₹12,000 is transferred to your bank account
For Urban Sanitation and Waste Projects (SBM-Urban):
- Urban local bodies must submit proposals to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- Apply via Swachh Bharat Mission portal or through State Urban Development Departments
- Private players can also partner through PPP model projects
Real Impact of Swachh Bharat Mission
Swachh Bharat has brought a revolution in how we see cleanliness and sanitation in India. Here’s the real change seen on the ground:
- Over 11 crore toilets built in rural India
- 600+ districts declared ODF Plus
- Major drop in open defecation across India
- Rural women report better safety and dignity
- Water-borne diseases have declined in ODF villages
- More children, especially girls, attend school where toilets exist
- Waste segregation started in over 80% urban areas
From cities to small villages, you can now see Swachhata walls, community dustbins, and green drives as regular parts of life.
How to Apply and Helpful Link
For individuals and panchayats in rural areas:
👉 Visit https://sbm.gov.in (Official portal of Swachh Bharat Mission)
For SBM Urban:
👉 Visit https://sbmurban.gov.in
You can also download the Swachh Bharat App to upload pictures, track toilet construction, or get updates.
Alternatively, visit your local panchayat office, municipality, or Common Service Centre (CSC) for help with forms and application.
Final Words
“Swachhta sirf ek aadat nahi, ek zimmedari hai.”
Swachh Bharat Mission is more than a government scheme – it is a people’s movement. It is about giving dignity to the poor, safety to women, and health to every Indian.
If your home or village still doesn’t have a toilet or proper waste system, this is the time to act. Whether you are a farmer, homemaker, teacher, or student – everyone can be part of this clean India dream.
Clean India is not just for tourists or cities. It’s for every gali, every gaon, and every ghar.
Encourage others, take part in cleanliness drives, and keep your surroundings clean. Because a Swachh Bharat is a strong Bharat.