Govt Launches Special Campaign 5.0 to Boost Cleanliness and Transparency

The Government of India has launched Special Campaign 5.0, reaffirming its continued commitment to cleanliness, transparency, efficiency, and public service delivery in governance. The campaign will be conducted from 2nd – 31st October 2025 across all Ministries and Departments. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has been designated the nodal agency to coordinate and monitor its implementation, just as in the previous four years.

Building on the successes of earlier campaigns, the Department of Posts has pledged to play a central role in the current edition. Guidelines prepared by DARPG have already been circulated among the Department of Posts’ 23 Circle Offices to ensure effective participation in cleanliness drives, disposal of pending matters, and efficient use of resources.

Successes of Special Campaign 4.0

The previous edition, Special Campaign 4.0, was held in October 2024 and then extended monthly through August 2025. The Department of Posts achieved significant milestones, including:

• 70,242 physical files weeded out in October 2024, rising to 1,41,801 files by August 2025.

• 1 lakh+ sites cleaned during October 2024, followed by 27,968 sites cleaned between December 2024 and August 2025.

• ₹1.15 crore revenue generated in October 2024 and ₹1.87 crore earned subsequently through disposal of scrap.

• Over 9.36 lakh public grievances resolved by August 2025.

• 94,572 sq. ft. of space freed up across postal facilities nationwide.

These achievements demonstrated how consistent follow-up measures can convert a one-time campaign into a long-term behavioural and institutional change.

Best Practices and Innovative Models

Special Campaign 4.0 also showcased creative approaches under the “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)” initiative:

• Meghdoot Aushadh Vatika (Herbal Garden): At Delhi Cantt Post Office, a neglected weed-covered plot was transformed into a vibrant garden of medicinal plants including aloe vera, tulsi, turmeric, mint, and gooseberry.

• Best out of Waste: Discarded items such as damaged furniture, bicycles, ropes, and postcards were repurposed to create artistic and cultural displays. Notable examples include:

  • A Charkha displayed at Yogayog Bhawan, crafted from waste materials.

  • A Caribbean boat brought from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, beautified using recycled wood from old furniture.

  • Artistic tributes to Mahatma Gandhi: a collage created with used file covers and dak pads, and a sketch designed with damaged furniture and a used blue mail bag in the West Bengal Circle.

These creative projects reflected how sustainability, heritage, and aesthetics could be integrated into the culture of cleanliness.

The Way Forward with Special Campaign 5.0

The upcoming campaign aims to consolidate the gains of earlier initiatives while pushing for sustainable models of cleanliness, waste management, and citizen participation. The focus will be on:

• Institutionalisation of reforms so that improvements are permanent and not temporary.

• Saturation and internalisation of cleanliness practices across all offices and public-facing institutions.

• Public involvement to create a shared responsibility for cleanliness and efficiency.

• Long-term behavioural change, aligning with the national vision of a cleaner, healthier, and more transparent India.

By strengthening institutional mechanisms and fostering a culture of accountability, Special Campaign 5.0 seeks to move beyond symbolic drives to become a cornerstone of everyday governance.

A Step Toward a Cleaner and Healthier Nation

The Department of Posts has reiterated its commitment to the campaign, ensuring that the lessons from past efforts are carried forward. As Special Campaign 5.0 takes off, the emphasis will be on embedding the values of swachhata (cleanliness), efficiency, and transparency deep within the administrative framework, thereby contributing to the vision of a modern and citizen-friendly government.