NAMASTE scheme: over 89,000 sewer workers and 2.81 lakh waste pickers validated
Over 89,000 sewer and septic tank workers and over 2,81,000 waste pickers have been validated under the NAMASTE scheme, Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said on 19 July 2026.
Summary
NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem), jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has validated over 89,000 sewer and septic tank workers and over 2,81,000 waste pickers, Union Social Justice Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said. Under NAMASTE, over 87,000 PPE kits have gone to sewer and septic tank workers and 1,84,118 to waste pickers, and health cards have been issued to over 76,000 sewer and septic tank workers and over 1,04,000 waste pickers. NAMASTE aims to end hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks by promoting mechanised cleaning.
Key facts
- Scheme
- NAMASTE – National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem
- Implemented by
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with MoHUA
- Validated
- 89,000+ sewer/septic tank workers; 2,81,000+ waste pickers
- PPE kits
- 87,000+ to sewer workers; 1,84,118 to waste pickers
- Health cards
- 76,000+ sewer workers; 1,04,000+ waste pickers
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The NAMASTE scheme for sanitation workers is jointly implemented by which two ministries?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Social Justice and Empowerment, and Housing and Urban Affairs
NAMASTE is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
How many waste pickers have been validated under the NAMASTE scheme, as per the July 2026 update?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Over 2,81,000
Over 2,81,000 waste pickers and over 89,000 sewer and septic tank workers have been validated.