Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen PHASE I
₹12,000 per toilet · rural households · open defecation free programme
Rural households in India that lacked a toilet before October 2014 were eligible for ₹12,000 in financial assistance to build one under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase I, launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to end open defecation in rural areas. The scheme targeted poor, underprivileged, and marginalized households. Apply through the UMANG portal online or contact your local gram panchayat.
About This Scheme
Rural households in India that lacked a toilet before October 2014 were eligible for ₹12,000 in financial assistance to build one under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase I, launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to end open defecation in rural areas. The scheme targeted poor, underprivileged, and marginalized households. Apply through the UMANG portal online or contact your local gram panchayat.
Full official description
Launched in 2014, the scheme "Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen (Phase I)" by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, aims to eliminate open defecation in rural India through behavioral change and construction of household and community toilets. Through this scheme, financial assistance and awareness interventions for toilet construction were provided to poor, underprivileged, and marginalized households in rural areas. Objectives:
To bring about mass-scale behavior change regarding sanitation and hygiene
To ensure the construction and usage of household-owned and community-owned toilets
To establish an accountable mechanism for achieving ODF (Open Defecation Free) India
To promote Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM)
Benefits
- ₹12,000 financial assistance per household for construction of an individual toilet
- Access to community sanitary complexes built under the scheme
- Part of India's mission to become Open Defecation Free (ODF)
- Related activities covered: Solid Liquid Waste Management (SLWM), awareness campaigns, and hygiene education
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If you're in sanitation, construction-tech, or rural infrastructure, this programme signals sustained government demand — partnering with gram panchayats or rural contractors to accelerate toilet construction can be a viable B2G revenue stream.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be from a rural household that did not have a toilet before the scheme launch
- Must belong to poor, underprivileged, or marginalized sections of rural society
- Households that already had a functional toilet were not eligible
- Priority given to households headed by women, elderly, disabled, or economically weaker section (EWS) members
Exclusions
- Not available to households that already had a functional toilet before the scheme
How to Apply
- Register on the UMANG portal at web.umang.gov.in — enter your mobile number, verify via OTP, and create an MPIN.
- Log in and navigate to 'All Services' at the bottom of the homepage.
- Select the relevant department and choose the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen service.
- Fill in all mandatory fields in the online application form and upload required documents.
- Review your application carefully, accept the terms, and click 'Submit'.
- Save your confirmation message with the application number for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aim of the scheme?
The aim of the scheme is to eliminate open defecation in rural India through toilet construction and behavioral change.
Who is eligible to apply under the scheme?
Rural households without toilet facilities, especially those that are poor, underprivileged, or marginalized.
Are households with existing toilets eligible?
No, households with existing functional toilets are not eligible for the incentive.
What steps are involved in applying for the scheme?
Contact the local Gram Panchayat, submit documents, construct the toilet, verify it through geo-tagging, and receive the incentive.
What kind of toilets were promoted under this scheme?
The scheme promoted twin-pit toilets as a cost-effective and sustainable sanitation solution.
How does twin pit toilet technology work?
Two pits are used alternately, and the filled pit is sealed for decomposition, turning waste into safe manure.
How long does each pit last?
Each pit is typically designed to last around three years, depending on usage.
What is the IMIS system used in this scheme?
IMIS (Integrated Management Information System) is used for real-time tracking of toilet construction and verification.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook (for direct benefit transfer)
- Photograph of the constructed toilet (for verification and geo-tagging)