Fresh survey finds no manual scavengers; 89,915 sewer workers validated under NAMASTE
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A fresh survey in all districts under the Manual Scavengers Act, 2013 found no manual scavengers, the Social Justice Ministry told Rajya Sabha on 2 August 2026. Under the NAMASTE scheme, launched in 2023-24, 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers have been validated. The scheme pushes mechanised cleaning, safety gear and health insurance.
- Released
- 2 Aug 2026, Rajya Sabha reply, MoSJE
- Law
- Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
- Survey result
- no manual scavengers identified
- Scheme
- NAMASTE, launched 2023-24
- Workers validated
- 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers
- Linked mission
- SBM-Urban 2.0, launched 1 October 2021
Manual scavenging and the NAMASTE scheme: what happened?
Manual scavenging, cleaning human excreta by hand, is banned. But the danger has shifted to sewer and septic tank cleaning, where people still go in. That is why NAMASTE counts and supports sewer and septic tank workers, and why SBM-U 2.0 aims to end hazardous entry altogether.
- The MS Act, 2013 bans insanitary latrines and bans hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
- NAMASTE support: PPE kits, safety training, safety devices for Emergency Response Sanitation Units, capital subsidy for machines, health insurance and workshops.
- SBM-U 2.0 includes Used Water Management to promote mechanised cleaning.
- States and UTs have been asked to enforce the Act.
What does NAMASTE stand for?
- National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
- Capital subsidy covers sanitation workers, their groups and Private Sanitation Service Operators.
Why does manual scavenging and the NAMASTE scheme matter?
- Dignity: Moves sanitation work from hands to machines.
- Safety: Targets deaths from hazardous sewer entry.
What can Prelims ask on manual scavenging and the NAMASTE scheme?
- MS Act, 2013 bans manual scavenging and hazardous sewer cleaning.
- NAMASTE: 2023-24; 89,915 workers validated.
- SBM-U 2.0: 1 October 2021; Used Water Management component.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-08-02): government told the Rajya Sabha that a fresh survey under the MS Act, 2013 identified no manual scavengers; 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers validated under NAMASTE.
- Hazardous sewer cleaning deaths remain a concern.
Quotable data pointGovernment told the Rajya Sabha that a fresh survey under the MS Act, 2013 identified no manual scavengers.
PIB: Social Justice: manual scavengers survey, 2 Aug 2026
Exam angle
Mains: Ending manual scavenging.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The NAMASTE scheme of the Government of India is concerned with
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (MoSJE), 2 Aug 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What did the fresh survey find?
No manual scavengers were identified in a survey across all districts under the MS Act, 2013.
What is the NAMASTE scheme?
National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem, launched in 2023-24, for the safety and dignity of sewer and septic tank workers.
How many workers are validated under NAMASTE?
89,915 sewer and septic tank workers across the country.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Social Justice: manual scavengers survey, 2 Aug 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending