Ministry of Education Mobilizes National Higher Education Network for Swachhata Hi Seva and Special Campaign 5.0

This week, in a proactive step, Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Higher Education, chaired a historic meeting of over 170 heads and faculty members of centrally funded institutions (accompanied by officials of the Department of Higher Education, University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The agenda was to discuss preparedness and take action in the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign and the next Special Campaign 5.0.

Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2025: Schedule, Programs, and Effects

Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign, which will take place across the country between 17th September and 2nd October 2025, are aimed at creating a big clean up movement within the educational institutions and surrounding areas. Key activities include:

• Revamping of Cleanliness Target Units: Restructured attention on clean campuses, hostels and the commons in and within higher learning institutions. 
• Ek Din-Ek Ghanta-Ek Sath: The call is to ask all interested stakeholders to set aside one hour collectively on a single day to have a focused impact. 
• Swachh Bharat Diwas: Celebration of the day which is on 2 nd October, Gandhi Jayanti, restating the need to keep India clean and sanitary.

Through the effective engagement of college and university leadership, the campaign will help in the mass engagement of the community, which is a crucial stage towards the vision of Jan Andolan-people movement towards a cleaner India.

Special Campaign 5.0: Phases and Objectives

Special Campaign 5.0 will be implemented in two steps to enhance the efficiency of the institutions further:

Preparatory Phase (15th30th September 2025): Colleges and universities will pinpoint individual goals of cleanliness, like the reduction of waste, the bettering of sanitation systems, and the simplification of office operations.

Phase of implementation (2nd -31 st October 2025): It will involve implementation of action plans to realise those objectives with the aim of minimizing the pendency, de-cluttering the workspace and improving operational productivity.

These two major campaigns bring together DoHE offices, independent institutions and centrally-funded HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) to the same cause including improved hygiene, sustainability and efficiency to both staff and students.  

National Relevance and Vision 

The national academic network mobilized by Dr. Joshi under his leadership aims to establish new standards of cleanliness and efficiency, and benefits the Swachh Bharat Mission and the vision of the Government of India of a healthy productive sustainable learning environment.

These efforts, in combination with social responsibility and practical action, reassert that the idea of clean campuses and simplified work culture are central to the educational development and overall well-being of young people in India.