Introduction: A Story of Progress and Paradox
Sanitation in India has been a critical focus of public health and policy initiatives for decades. With the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, India began addressing long-standing challenges related to open defecation, waste disposal, and hygiene practices. Millions of toilets were constructed, and cleanliness campaigns reached even remote villages, making sanitation a national priority.
However, despite this visible progress, deep-rooted challenges remain—particularly in rural areas, urban slums, and marginalized communities. Although significant improvements have been made through campaigns like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), sanitation in India continues to face structural and behavioral hurdles.
As India strives to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) in 2025, critical questions persist: Are toilets being used consistently? Is the sanitation infrastructure sustainable? Are vulnerable communities truly benefiting?
This article explores the current state of sanitation in India, supported by recent data and on-ground realities, to assess whether the mission has truly succeeded—or if it remains an unfinished journey.
What Was the Background and Challenge of Sanitation in India?
Sanitation has historically been one of India’s most pressing public health issues. Prior to 2014:
- Over 550 million people practiced open defecation daily.
- Poor sanitation was responsible for up to 10% of all child deaths due to diarrheal diseases.
- Lack of toilets in schools led to high dropout rates among adolescent girls.
- Women faced safety concerns and waited until dark to defecate, risking harassment and illness.
Recognizing the urgent need for reform, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) on 2nd October 2014 with a bold goal: to eliminate open defecation by 2019.
By the end of Phase I:
- More than 10 crore toilets had been built.
- ODF (Open Defecation Free) declarations were made in thousands of villages and cities.
- Sanitation awareness became a national conversation.
Despite this success, gaps in toilet usage, maintenance, and waste management remained evident.
What Happened Recently in Sanitation Efforts?
Since 2019, Sanitation in India has moved into its second phase under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Phase II, focusing on sustainability, usage, and integrated waste management.
Key Focus Areas:
- ODF Plus and ODF Plus Plus certifications for villages and cities.
- Integration of solid and liquid waste management, including greywater treatment and faecal sludge management.
- Construction and maintenance of Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs).
- Renewed emphasis on behavioral change communication (BCC).
Recent data from NFHS-5 (2023–24) shows that while 81% of rural households have toilet access, only 72% use them regularly. This usage gap highlights the need for deeper community engagement.
Meanwhile, schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT 2.0 aim to provide piped water supply and sewerage systems across urban and rural areas. However, progress remains uneven across different states and districts.
Current Data Highlights (2023–2024):
| Indicator | Urban (%) | Rural (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Household Toilet Access | 94% | 81% |
| Daily Toilet Usage | 90% | 72% |
| Safe Solid Waste Disposal | 76% | 41% |
| Faecal Sludge Treatment Coverage | 55% | 29% |
| Water Availability for Toilets | 87% | 63% |
NFHS-5 (National Family Health Survey) data further revealed:
- SC/ST households lag behind national averages in sanitation access.
- States like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha are still struggling with consistent usage.
- In many areas, toilets are used by men, but women continue to practice open defecation.
This data underscores that sanitation in India is still a challenge, especially in rural, remote, and socioeconomically weaker regions.
Why Is Sanitation in India Still a Challenge in 2025?
1. Toilet Usage vs. Access
Building toilets does not guarantee usage. According to studies, around 25-30% of rural households with toilets don’t use them regularly.
Reasons include:
- Fear of pit filling.
- Unhygienic conditions due to lack of cleaning.
- Cultural preference for open defecation.
2. Water Scarcity
Many toilets in rural areas lack a reliable water supply, making them difficult to use. In regions like Bundelkhand and parts of Rajasthan, water scarcity has severely affected sanitation efforts.
3. Poor Maintenance and Waste Management
- Only one-third of Indian villages have effective waste management systems.
- Faecal sludge often gets dumped untreated, contaminating water bodies and soil.
- Urban sanitation faces pressure due to the growth of unplanned slums, where drainage and sewage systems are non-existent.
4. Gender and Safety Concerns
Women often avoid using toilets after dark due to poor lighting, lack of privacy, and safety threats. Additionally:
- Lack of menstrual hygiene infrastructure.
- No disposal facilities for sanitary pads.
- Shared toilets leading to discomfort.
5. Behavioral Change Is Incomplete
Sociocultural habits are hard to break. Open defecation has been practiced for generations in some communities. Without intensive and continuous behavioral change campaigns, even the best infrastructure goes unused.
What’s Next for India’s Sanitation Mission?
1. Strengthening ODF++ Framework
- India is pushing for ODF++ cities and villages, focusing not only on access but also on safe waste disposal.
- Treatment plants for faecal sludge and septage are being scaled up.
2. Swachh Survekshan 2025
The world’s largest cleanliness survey ranks cities based on:
- Waste management practices.
- Citizen participation.
- Sanitation infrastructure.
This competitive spirit has prompted cities like Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai to set global examples.
3. Digital Monitoring and Smart Toilets
- Use of mobile apps to track toilet use.
- IoT-enabled public toilets with real-time cleanliness checks.
- QR-code based feedback for public sanitation facilities.
4. Private Sector and CSR Involvement
- Innovative startups are promoting bio-toilets, eco composting, and modular toilet kits.
- Corporate CSR funds are being directed toward sanitation projects in schools and public areas.
5. Jal Jeevan Mission Integration
- Ensuring piped water access to all households by 2026.
- Promoting greywater reuse to maintain toilet functionality.
Looking Ahead: Sustainable Sanitation Goals
For India to meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 6, several long-term strategies must be adopted:
Key Recommendations:
- Focus on marginalized communities: Sanitation must reach SC/ST, migrant laborers, and landless populations.
- School Sanitation Revival: Toilets in schools must be regularly cleaned and maintained, especially for girls.
- Incentives for Usage: Rewarding households and panchayats that demonstrate long-term toilet use and maintenance.
- Decentralized Waste Management: Composting pits, waste-to-energy plants, and biogas units at the village level.
- Public Education Campaigns: Use of local influencers, regional languages, and folk media to change habits.
- Integrated Planning: Coordination between health, education, and urban development departments for cohesive action.
India must not just build toilets—it must ensure dignity, safety, and cleanliness for every citizen.
Conclusion: Sanitation in India
Sanitation in India has undoubtedly moved from being a neglected sector to one that now receives political, social, and financial attention. The construction of toilets at scale, initiation of cleanliness surveys, and launch of campaigns like Swachh Bharat have created a powerful shift in mindset.
However, as of 2025, infrastructure alone is not enough. The real challenges lie in:
- Changing deep-rooted behaviors.
- Ensuring long-term usage.
- Providing adequate water and waste treatment solutions.
A truly sanitized India will not be judged by the number of toilets built—but by the number of lives transformed. Only when every citizen, regardless of caste, income, or gender, can access and use hygienic facilities safely and with dignity, will we be able to say that India has overcome its sanitation crisis.