Fresh survey under MS Act, 2013 finds no manual scavengers; 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers validated under NAMASTE
On 2 August 2026, in New Delhi, the Government told the Rajya Sabha that a fresh all-district survey under the MS Act, 2013 found no manual scavengers and that 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers had been validated under the NAMASTE Scheme.
Summary
On 2 August 2026, in New Delhi, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said the Government had informed the Rajya Sabha that a fresh survey across all districts under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013) found no manual scavengers. Minister of State Ramdas Athawale said in a written reply that 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers have been validated under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, launched in 2023-24. The reply added that Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, launched on 1 October 2021, has Used Water Management as a key component to end hazardous entry into sewers and septic tanks.
Key facts
- Law
- Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
- Fresh survey
- All districts; no manual scavengers found
- NAMASTE Scheme
- Launched 2023-24; 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers validated
- SBM-U 2.0
- Launched 1 October 2021; Used Water Management component
- Reply by
- MoS Ramdas Athawale, Rajya Sabha
Practice MCQs 3 questions
As per the Government's reply in the Rajya Sabha published on 2 August 2026, how many sewer and septic tank workers had been validated under the NAMASTE Scheme?
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Correct answer: C — 89,915
PIB (2 Aug 2026): under the NAMASTE Scheme, 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers have been validated across the country.
The fresh survey reported in August 2026, which found no manual scavengers, was conducted under which law?
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Correct answer: B — Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
PIB (2 Aug 2026): the fresh survey was conducted across all districts under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013).
Consider the following statements, as stated in the Government's reply of August 2026: 1. The NAMASTE Scheme was launched during 2023-24. 2. Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0 was launched on 1 October 2021. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (2 Aug 2026): NAMASTE was launched during 2023-24 and SBM-U 2.0 was launched on 1 October 2021, so both are correct.