NAMASTE: National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem
Last updated: 2026-11-13 · MockMentor
NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) is a joint scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Running from 2023-24 to 31 March 2026, it aims to end manual scavenging and hazardous entry into sewers and septic tanks, with a goal of zero deaths, and to turn sanitation workers into skilled, equipped entrepreneurs.
In one line: machines instead of people inside sewers, with sanitation workers trained, insured and helped to own the equipment.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | 2023-24 to 31 March 2026 |
| Ministries | Social Justice and Empowerment; Housing and Urban Affairs |
| Agency | National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) |
| Budget 2025-26 | ₹73.71 crore |
| Citizen helpline | 14420 for mechanised cleaning |
Key interventions
- Profiling of sewer and septic tank workers, with a NAMASTE ID card.
- PPE kits and Emergency Response Sanitation Units (up to ₹2 lakh for safety devices).
- Training with a stipend of up to ₹3,000.
- Capital subsidy and interest subvention for workers to buy sanitation machines, and upfront subsidy to private sanitation service organisations.
- Health cover under Ayushman Bharat.
Possible exam questions
- Why does manual scavenging persist despite being banned? Assess NAMASTE.
- Discuss mechanisation as a solution to unsafe sanitation work.
Complete notes in our courses: this page gives the essentials. The Super-Elite and Elite courses carry the full chapter with every update merged in, plus practice MCQs. Compare the courses.
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