CBSE mobilises schools for nationwide cleanliness drive; one-hour mass ‘Shramdaan’ on October 1

New Delhi, Sep 26 : The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all its affiliated schools to mobilise students, teachers and local communities for a nationwide cleanliness campaign, with a one-hour mass ‘Shramdaan’ on October 1 as a key activity under the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign.

According to a circular issued by CBSE on September 25, the campaign will continue until October 2 and culminate in Swachh Bharat Diwas. This year’s theme is “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, focusing on greater public participation, youth and student engagement, and awareness of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.

As part of the nationwide “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” initiative, people from different sections of society will be encouraged to contribute one hour of voluntary service towards cleanliness on October 1. CBSE has urged schools to ensure maximum participation in the initiative.

Schools have been advised to organise cleanliness and beautification drives in and around their campuses, including Shramdaan and plantation activities, while ensuring appropriate safety measures.

Students, preferably from Classes VI to XII, may also be taken on exposure visits to solid and liquid waste management facilities and other assets created under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The campaign will also focus on public spaces beyond school campuses. Schools have been encouraged to identify, map and clean difficult and dirty spots as well as high-footfall public places.

CBSE has further advised schools to engage students and youth through discussions, debates and interactive sessions on cleanliness, rainwater harvesting and water management.

Awareness and demonstration activities on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, including four-way segregation of waste at source, have also been recommended. Other suggested themes include personal hygiene, handwashing, safe sanitation and drinking water, rainwater harvesting, wastewater management, prevention of littering and avoidance of single-use plastics.

The Board has also stressed the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, encouraging schools to organise donation drives for books, toys, clothes, shoes and other reusable or recyclable materials.

The broader SHS campaign will include initiatives such as “Kabaad se Jugaad” (Waste to Wealth) and “Kabaad se Kala” (Waste to Art) to promote awareness of the circular economy.

CBSE said schools may conduct the campaign under the aegis of Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE. Schools that have not yet constituted such clubs have been asked to take necessary steps to establish them.

A quiz on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 has also been hosted for students of Classes VI to XII. Schools have been asked to upload details of their participation and activities on the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE portal.

The circular, signed by CBSE Director (Academics) Dr Praggya M. Singh, has been sent to the heads of all CBSE-affiliated schools.