Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II
Context – From ‘Toilet Construction’ to ‘Total Cleanliness’
The first phase of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-Grameen) was revolutionary—it mobilized rural India to construct over 10 crore toilets, leading to 100% ODF (Open Defecation Free) declarations by 2nd October 2019, Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
But building toilets is only the starting point. The challenge now is:
Can we ensure that these toilets are actually used, maintained, and complemented with clean surroundings?
SBM Phase-II answers that with a shift from infrastructure creation to sustainable sanitation behaviours.
🔄 From ODF to ODF+ and ODF++ — A stepwise escalation of rural sanitation standards.
Scheme Overview – The Basics You Must Remember
| Feature | Description |
| 📜 Type | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
| 🗓️ Duration | Till 2024–25 |
| 🎯 Purpose | To make all villages ODF Plus |
| 🔍 Focus | Behaviour change, waste management, and toilet usage for all |
Core Objectives – The Three Pillars of SBM (G) Phase II
- ✅ Reinforce ODF Behaviours – No one should relapse to open defecation.
- ♻️ Solid and Liquid Waste Management – Decentralized and village-level solutions.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Leave No One Behind – Inclusion of marginalized groups in access and awareness.
What Do ODF, ODF+, and ODF++ Mean?
Understanding this gradation is crucial for Mains answers and Prelims MCQs:
| Level | Meaning |
| 🚻 ODF | No open defecation; everyone uses a toilet. |
| ➕ ODF+ | ODF + All public/community toilets are functional and maintained. |
| ⧬ ODF++ | ODF+ + Septage (sludge) management in place. |
Major Components of SBM-G Phase II
Let’s divide this into Toilets, Waste Management, Behavioural Change, and Monitoring:
🚽 Toilet Infrastructure
- Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs): ₹12,000 for toilet + water storage.
- Retrofitting of Toilets: For dysfunctional toilets; focus on IEC and Inter-Personal Communication (IPC).
🏫 Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs)
- Built at Gram Panchayat level with government assistance.
♻️ Waste Management Systems
1. Solid Waste Management (SWM):
| Method | Description |
| 🌿 Composting | Household or community pits (for 100–150 households) |
| 🔋 GOBAR-dhan Scheme | ₹50 lakh/district for biogas plants using cattle dung and organic waste |
| 🛍️ Plastic Waste | Must be integrated into district/block sanitation plans |
2. Liquid Waste Management (LWM):
| Scale | Methods |
| 🏡 On-Site | Soak pit, leach pit, kitchen gardens, magic pits |
| 🏘️ Community-Level | If space is limited; collective greywater solutions |
3. Faecal Sludge Management (FSM):
- ₹230 per capita allocated for FSM implementation
- Focus on:
- Mechanized desludging
- Treatment units for safe disposal
- Funds sourced from 15th Finance Commission, CSR, MPLAD/MLALAD, etc.
Institutions That Make It Happen
Role of PRIs (Panchayati Raj Institutions):
- Decentralized planning, fund management, and social audits.
- Ensure community mobilization.
Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs):
- Sub-committees of Gram Panchayats for:
- Motivating usage
- Creating Village Action Plans (VAPs)
Behavioural Change & Campaigns – The Heart of SBM
| Initiative | Focus Area |
| 🚪 Darwaza Band Campaign | Encourages men with toilets to use them; World Bank-supported |
| 🔁 Darwaza Band – Part 2 | Focuses on sustaining ODF behaviour |
| 🇮🇳 Swachhta Hi Sewa Campaign | 15-day intensive cleanliness drive for awareness |
| 🏛️ Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) | Cleanliness around cultural/heritage sites; Inter-ministerial collaboration |
| 🏛️ Rashtriya Swachhta Kendra (RSK) | Interactive experience centre at Rajghat for SBM awareness |
ODF Plus Classification of Villages
| Category | Description |
| 🌱 Aspiring | ODF maintained + either solid or liquid waste system present |
| 🚀 Rising | ODF maintained + both solid and liquid waste managed |
| 🌟 Model | Rising + Visual cleanliness + IEC activities visible |
This classification allows measurable goals and targeted assistance.
Monitoring Tools – Data-Driven Governance
| Tool | Function |
| 📲 SLWM Dashboard | Monitors solid and liquid waste asset creation |
| 📱 ODF+ App | Field-level tracking of ODF+ compliance |
| 📱 Swachh Gram Darpan App | Transparency and public engagement tool |
UPSC Relevance – Linkages Across Papers
| Paper | How It Fits |
| GS II | Welfare schemes, role of PRIs, Behavioural policy |
| GS III | Environment (Waste management), Infrastructure |
| Essay | Sanitation, Public health, Social revolution |
| Ethics | Duty to environment and community |
Final Insight – What Makes SBM Phase II Different?
Unlike Phase I, this is not about building toilets on paper. Phase II is about building a culture where cleanliness, sanitation, and dignity are deeply embedded in rural lives.
🧠 It’s not just about a clean village—it’s about a village that stays clean, on its own.