India’s cities are often described as lands of contrast; glimmering skylines rise beside overflowing garbage dumps, and gleaming tech parks exist just
a few lanes away from uncollected waste. Despite a decade of campaigns under the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, the dream of a truly clean urban India continues to face serious challenges. The latest Swachh Survekshan 2025 report has once again turned the spotlight on the state of urban sanitation and waste management and the findings are far from flattering.
Bengaluru Among Top 5 Dirtiest Cities
Bengaluru, the country’s technology powerhouse, has found itself in uncomfortable company this year. The city ranked fifth dirtiest among Indian cities with a population of over one million, according to the survey. The report highlights how the city’s rapid, unplanned expansion and inconsistent waste management have strained its civic systems. Piles of unsegregated garbage, clogged drains, and weak enforcement of sanitation rules have collectively dragged the city’s ranking down.Experts point out that while the city continues to attract global investors and tech talent, its civic upkeep hasn’t kept pace with its economic boom, making it a textbook case of urban imbalance.
Tamil Nadu Cities Slip in Rankings
Tamil Nadu’s performance has been particularly worrying. Madurai, one of the state’s key cultural hubs, has been listed among the dirtiest cities with a score of 4,823. Chennai, the state capital and one of India’s largest metros, fares no better, ranking third dirtiest with a score of 6,822.The findings come as a surprise for a state that has invested heavily in waste segregation and recycling efforts in recent years. However, experts suggest that weak enforcement, poor citizen participation, and infrastructural lapses could be behind this decline.
India’s Dirtiest Cities in 2025
According to the Swachh Survekshan 2025 report, the 10 dirtiest cities (with population over one million) are:- Madurai – 4,823
- Ludhiana – 5,272
- Chennai – 6,822
- Ranchi – 6,835
- Bengaluru – 6,842
- Dhanbad – 7,196
- Faridabad – 7,329
- Greater Mumbai – 7,419
- Srinagar – 7,488
- Delhi – 7,920
The list paints a sobering picture of how India’s major economic and administrative centres, from Delhi to Mumbai and Bengaluru, continue to struggle with basic cleanliness.
While the country’s biggest metros faltered, several mid-sized cities made impressive strides. Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai maintained their streak as India’s cleanest cities, earning a place in the new “Super Swachh League.” Others such as Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Lucknow, Raipur, and Jabalpur also ranked high, proving that efficient civic systems and citizen involvement can make a real difference — regardless of city size or budget.
