PRAGATI-50 Initiative Launched for 50 Model Cities

The PRAGATI-50 initiative was launched on 29 September 2026 in New Delhi by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal. The initiative aims to develop 50 model cities across 24 states under the framework of Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0.

PRAGATI-50 and Urban Cleanliness

PRAGATI stands for a city-focused urban cleanliness initiative that seeks higher benchmarks of Swachhata, or cleanliness, in selected urban centres. The 50 cities include capitals, cultural centres, pilgrimage towns, tourism hubs, and economic centres.

The selected cities are intended to function as clean role-model cities for other urban local bodies in India. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is responsible for identifying these cities and for implementing the initiative through targeted, KPI-based actions.

Core Areas Under the Initiative

The initiative covers visible improvements in urban cleanliness, solid waste management, used water management, sanitation, and citizen participation. It also uses intensive, technology-enabled monitoring for tracking progress in the selected cities.

Minister Manohar Lal will chair review meetings every other month to assess the progress of the 50 cities. The initiative follows directions given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 51st PRAGATI meeting on 27 May 2026.

Associated Launches and Selected Cities

As part of Swachhata Hi Seva 2026, a Reduce Reuse and Recycle Centre was inaugurated at Sankalp Bhawan in New Delhi. The centre is linked to sustainable consumption in government workplaces.

Other associated initiatives launched on 29 September 2026 include the Swachh Bharat Test Bed by CSIR-CMERI, the third cohort of Swachhata Startups with IIT Kanpur, and the Swachchata Behaviour Change Digital Kosh.

Important Facts for Exams

• PRAGATI-50 is linked to Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, which is the urban component of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
• The initiative covers 50 cities across 24 states of India.
• Six cities from Uttar Pradesh selected under PRAGATI-50 are Agra, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Mathura-Vrindavan, Prayagraj, and Varanasi.
• CSIR-CMERI stands for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute.

Urban Governance Context

Swachhata-related urban programmes in India commonly include sanitation, waste segregation, wastewater management, and behaviour change measures. KPI-based monitoring is a performance-tracking method used in public administration for measurable targets.