Fresh 2024-25 nationwide survey finds no manual scavengers, Rajya Sabha told
A fresh nationwide survey conducted in 2024-25 did not identify any manual scavengers in any district, Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar told the Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2026.
Summary
A fresh nationwide survey conducted during 2024-25 under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 did not identify any manual scavengers in any district, Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar told the Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2026. All 58,098 manual scavengers identified in the 2013 and 2018 surveys have received one-time cash assistance of Rs 40,000 each. Rehabilitation continues under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, and 123 FIRs were lodged for hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning between January 2023 and June 2026.
Key facts
- 2024-25 survey
- No manual scavengers identified
- Earlier surveys
- 58,098 identified (2013 and 2018)
- Cash aid
- Rs 40,000 one-time to each
- Scheme
- NAMASTE
- Law
- Manual Scavengers Act, 2013
- FIRs
- 123 (Jan 2023–Jun 2026) for hazardous cleaning
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many manual scavengers had been identified through the nationwide surveys of 2013 and 2018?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 58,098
58,098 manual scavengers were identified in the 2013 and 2018 surveys; the 2024-25 survey found none.
What one-time cash assistance has each identified manual scavenger received?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Rs 40,000
All 58,098 identified manual scavengers have received one-time cash assistance of Rs 40,000 each.