Swachh Bharat Swachh Smarak/Paryatan
Art & Culture › Miscellaneous · Topic 11.24
Swachh Bharat Swachh Smarak and Swachh Paryatan is the cleanliness drive for monuments and tourist places, set under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched on 2 October 2014. The Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India improve cleanliness and visitor facilities at protected monuments, with 25 of the 100 Adarsh Smarak launched on 26 December 2014. The Ministry of Tourism launched the Swachh Paryatan mobile app on 24 September 2016, so citizens can photograph garbage at sites. ASI monuments were declared polythene free zones in 2016. Current campaign status should be checked as of November 2026.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Miscellaneous
At a Glance
- Parent mission Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, 2 October 2014
- Ministries Culture and Tourism
- Monument focus ASI protected sites
- Citizen tool Swachh Paryatan app, 2016
- Plastic rule Polythene free zones, 2016
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Miscellaneous
Where Does It Fit?
This topic closes the group of monument and tourism programmes that began with the model monuments initiative. It shows how a national cleanliness mission was applied to heritage places and tourist destinations. Previous topic: Schemes for Serious Literature and Litterateurs. Next topic: Incredible India 2.0 Campaign.
What Are the Main Components of the Campaign?
| Component | Year | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Swachh Bharat Abhiyan | 2014 | National cleanliness mission launched on 2 October 2014, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi |
| Adarsh Smarak first batch | 2014 | 25 of 100 model monuments launched on 26 December 2014 with better amenities |
| Swachhta Pakhwada at ASI sites | 2016 | A fortnight of cleanliness at monuments, held 16 to 30 September in 2016 |
| Swachh Paryatan app | 2016 | Mobile app of the Ministry of Tourism, launched on 24 September 2016, for reporting garbage at tourist places |
| Polythene free zones | 2016 | ASI protected monuments and sites declared polythene free; advisories sent to states for a buffer around monuments |
| Special campaigns | Recent years | Annual special campaign weeks of the government include cleaning drives at ASI sites; 400 sites were reported covered in one phase |
How Does the Campaign Work on the Ground?
- Citizen reporting: a visitor photographs garbage at a monument and sends it through the app or an SMS to the ASI nodal officer, who confirms action
- ASI role: ASI circles clean monuments, install dustbins, manage waste and keep toilets and drinking water points working
- Tourism side: the Ministry of Tourism promotes Swachh Paryatan as a part of responsible tourism, with pledge campaigns for visitors and hotels
- Ranking: ASI ranked the model monuments on cleanliness parameters and named Rani ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat, as the cleanest
- Plastic ban: single use plastic is discouraged near monuments to prevent damage and clogging of drains
- Private partners: companies took up cleanliness and amenities through corporate social responsibility and adoption models
- Status: the sanitation push continues in annual special campaigns, but the app and ranking exercises need to be checked as of November 2026
What Else Should You Remember?
- Archaeological Survey of India: the Archaeological Survey of India is the agency of the Ministry of Culture that cares for centrally protected monuments, so the monument side of the campaign is carried out by its circles across the country
- Full title: the campaign appears in sources as Swachh Bharat Swachh Smarak Swachh Paryatan, or Clean India, Clean Monument, Clean Tourism
- Origin of the slogan: the idea of linking clean monuments with clean tourism and a clean India was floated before 2014 and became part of national policy with the SBM-U) Phase one goal…">Swachh Bharat mission
- Iconic places: a separate Swachh Iconic Places initiative of the sanitation ministry covered selected heritage and pilgrimage sites, with details to be verified
- Model sites: the lead programme is described in Adarsh Smarak Yojana
- Circuits: tourism infrastructure is described in SWADESH DARSHAN
- Pilgrimage towns: sanitation at shrines is a key part of PRASAD Scheme
- Heritage cities: urban heritage and sanitation were addressed together in HRIDAY
- Law: monuments are protected by the 1958 Act, and littering or damage at protected sites can be punished under it
- Digital: apps and portals are also described in Sanskriti App
- Brand: cleanliness also supports the brand in Incredible India 2.0 Campaign
- Impact: cleaner sites improve visitor ratings and lower wear on stone, paint and carvings caused by waste and acids from some cleaning methods
- Limits: limits include shortage of sweepers at remote sites, heavy crowds at festivals and low awareness among local vendors
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Date facts: 2 October 2014, 26 December 2014, 24 September 2016
- App owner: Ministry of Tourism
- Monument link: ASI, polythene free zones, Adarsh Smarak
- Statement questions: which ministry, which year, what the app does
- Common errors: crediting the app to the Ministry of Culture
As an analytical point, cleanliness at heritage sites depends on visitor behaviour as much as on staff. Citizen reporting tools, fines for littering and clear waste systems keep monuments safe and welcoming.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Dates Mission and app years
- ASI Polythene free zones
- Mains Heritage and sanitation
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the international tourism brand campaign. Next topic: Incredible India 2.0 Campaign.
Key People and Terms
- Swachh Smarak Clean monument
- Swachh Paryatan Clean tourism
- Polythene free zone Plastic banned zone
- Adarsh Smarak Model monument
- Nodal officer Designated action officer
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: 2 October 2014.
- Swachh Paryatan app: 24 September 2016, Ministry of Tourism.
- ASI monuments polythene free: 2016.
- Cleanest model monument reported: Rani ki Vav, Gujarat.
- Present status to be checked as of November 2026.
Do Not Confuse With
- Swachh Paryatan and Swachh Smarak Tourism campaign and app versus monument cleaning by ASI
- Swachh Bharat and Swachh Iconic Places National mission versus a targeted site initiative
- Polythene free zone and plastic ban Site rule versus general law
Memory Hook
Clean India, clean monument, clean tourism: photograph, report, repair.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about sanitation, tourism and heritage together. These points give a balanced frame.
- Heritage Fabric safe from waste
- Tourism Experience and ratings
- Citizens Reporting and behaviour
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the importance of cleanliness campaigns at monuments and tourist places for heritage protection and sustainable tourism in India.”
How to Answer
- Introduce Name the campaigns and dates.
- Benefits Heritage, tourism, health.
- Challenges Staff, crowds, behaviour.
- Way Citizen role, fines, waste systems.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Swachh Bharat Swachh Smarak Swachh Paryatan?
It is the cleanliness drive for monuments and tourist places under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of 2 October 2014. The Archaeological Survey of India cleans protected monuments, while the Ministry of Tourism runs the Swachh Paryatan app, launched on 24 September 2016, for citizens to report garbage.
Which ministry launched the Swachh Paryatan app?
The Ministry of Tourism launched the Swachh Paryatan mobile app on 24 September 2016. It lets citizens photograph garbage at monuments and tourist places and send it for action, while the Archaeological Survey of India named nodal officers to respond for protected monuments.
Which monuments were declared polythene free zones?
All monuments and sites protected by the Archaeological Survey of India were declared polythene free zones in 2016. States were also advised to keep a buffer area of about 300 metres around the boundary free from polythene, as reported by the Ministry of Culture.
Which model monument was ranked cleanest?
Rani ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat, a World Heritage Site inscribed in 2014, was reported as the cleanest among the 25 Adarsh Smarak ranked on cleanliness parameters by the Archaeological Survey of India. Rankings change, so check the latest list when preparing.
What is the latest status of Swachh Smarak and Paryatan?
As of November 2026 cleanliness at ASI sites continues through annual special campaigns and regular upkeep, and 400 sites were reported covered in one recent phase. Whether the Swachh Paryatan app remains active could not be confirmed, so hedge and check official sites.
Why is Swachh Smarak important for UPSC?
It is important for UPSC because it joins heritage, tourism and sanitation. Prelims ask dates, the ministry behind the app, polythene free zones and Adarsh Smarak, while Mains ask how cleanliness and citizen participation protect monuments and improve sustainable tourism.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Swachh Paryatan app was launched by the Ministry of Tourism.
It was launched on 24 September 2016.
2 ASI protected monuments were declared polythene free zones.
In 2016.
3 Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched on 2 October 2016.
It was launched on 2 October 2014.
4 Rani ki Vav was reported as the cleanest model monument.
It is in Patan, Gujarat.
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