NEW DELHI: Driving the mandate of the Government of India’s flagship Swachh Bharat Mission, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, successfully concluded its intensive fort-nightly cleanliness campaign, Swachhata Pakhwada 2026.
The nationwide program, which ran from May 1 to May 15, 2026, was implemented at the DBT Headquarters in New Delhi and scaled across all its Autonomous Institutions (AIs) and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in strict compliance with the framework issued by the Cabinet Secretariat.
Swachhata Pakhwada 2026 Performance Leaders
Following a rigorous review by an evaluation committee, the Secretary of DBT formally awarded the top three performing autonomous bodies on June 2, 2026:
First Place: BRIC – National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad
Second Place: BRIC – National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali
Third Place: BRIC – Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal
A Fortnight Built on ‘Shramdaan’ and Waste Transformation
The cleanliness crusade commenced on May 1 with a mass pledge-taking ceremony at the DBT office located within the CGO Complex, New Delhi. Over the 15-day implementation window, the department actively shifted away from symbolic routines, deploying a concrete action plan that merged civic responsibility with scientific innovation:
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Scientific Lab Waste Management: Given the hazardous nature of biological and chemical research, institutions conducted specialized technical seminars and audits focusing on the safe processing, neutralization, and disposal of advanced laboratory waste.
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Waste-to-Wealth Redirection: Embracing circular economy principles, participating units engaged in creative recycling initiatives, such as re-manufacturing discarded wooden packing crates into functional, artistic plant pots and replacing single-use plastics through the mass distribution of sustainable jute bags.
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Community and Social Infrastructure Support: DBT teams extended their footprint beyond office complexes into local public spaces. Key initiatives included the physical renovation of classrooms and toilet blocks at nearby government schools, alongside running educational awareness drives for students.
Promoting Employee Wellness and Green Spaces
The administrative leadership of DBT integrated worker health and ecological restoration directly into the Swachhata guidelines. The fortnight featured extensive tree plantation drives across research campuses to increase green canopies and optimize water conservation mechanisms.
Concurrently, the department organized free health check-up camps, environmental awareness lectures, and stress management workshops to cultivate a clean, balanced, and productive working environment for its scientific and administrative workforce.
Senior officials from the ministry continuously monitored and audited the progression of the campaign through systematic review meetings. DBT executives noted that the enthusiasm displayed across all branches successfully converted a standard regulatory directive into a sustained institutional culture of hygiene, environmental discipline, and operational efficiency.
