CBSE asks schools to observe Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 till 2 October

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education has asked affiliated schools to observe Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 up to 2 October, culminating in Swachh Bharat Diwas on that date. Circular Acad-63/2026, dated 25 September and issued by the Academics unit, sets the theme as Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat, with a Whole of Government and Whole of Society approach.

The campaign seeks to strengthen collective ownership and Jan Bhagidari for cleanliness, raise student and youth participation, and create awareness on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. CBSE says the drive may run under Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE. Schools that have not yet constituted Eco Clubs are told to take necessary action to establish them before the observance window closes.

Focus areas listed for schools

The circular names four focus areas. First, transformation of Cleanliness Target Units and clean public places, including difficult and dirty spots and high-footfall locations that schools can help map and clear with appropriate safety arrangements. Second, Swachh Paathshala and Yuva for Swachhata, including Swachhata Gyan Yatra exposure visits to solid waste management facilities and Swachhata Evam Jal Sanchay Samvad debates on rainwater harvesting and water management for Classes VI to XII where feasible.

Third, Jan Bhagidari activities such as door-to-door awareness on four-way source segregation and composting, local sports for Swachhata, eco-friendly festival practices, plantation under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam, special work around World Tourism Day on 27 September, and Special Gram Sabhas or Council meetings on 2 October. Fourth, Swachhata se Samriddhi steps that promote waste-to-wealth and waste-to-art work, donation drives for old books, toys and clothes, and plastic recycling melas linked to circular economy messaging in the school neighbourhood.

Suggestive activities and annexure

Suggestive school activities include cleanliness and beautification drives with Shramdaan and plantation; exposure visits preferably for Classes VI to XII; talks on personal hygiene, handwashing, safe toilets, rainwater harvesting, four-way segregation, reduce-reuse-recycle and avoidance of single-use plastics; demonstrations on the SWM Rules, 2026; wall painting and thematic art competitions; and involvement of MyBharat volunteers, principals, parents and community members in age-appropriate tasks.

Detailed guidelines are enclosed as Annexure-A to the circular. Principals are expected to disseminate the circular within their schools and keep photo or activity records as their Eco Clubs usually do for Mission LiFE drives. The Board has not framed this notice as a competitive ranking exercise; it is an observance calendar that ends on Swachh Bharat Diwas.

Schools can download Acad-63/2026 from cbseacademic.nic.in under the September 2026 circulars list. Pair the circular with the school's existing Eco Club plan so SHS work does not clash with other September-October student programmes already on the academic calendar.

Candidates and schools should rely only on the official notice named in this report and the portal URLs printed there, and should keep local PDF copies of every allotment letter, scorecard or circular they download during the live window. Check the official website again before the closing hour in case a corrigendum is uploaded on the same page.