The Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen (SBM-G) has evolved from a toilet-construction programme into a broader community-led sanitation movement focused on behavioural change, waste management and sustainable sanitation systems.

About Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen

The Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen (SBM-G) was launched on 2 October 2014 with the objective of making rural India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by providing access to toilets and promoting behavioural change.

Phase I: SBM-G (2014–2019)

The first phase focused on eliminating open defecation and achieving universal sanitation coverage in rural areas.

Over 100 million individual household toilets were constructed, and more than 6 lakh villages were declared ODF by October 2019. The mission contributed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.2, which aims to achieve adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.

It also improved health, safety and dignity, particularly for women, while reducing environmental contamination associated with open defecation.

Phase II: SBM-G (2020–21 to 2025–26)

After the achievement of ODF status, Phase II shifted the focus from toilet construction to sustaining ODF outcomes and achieving comprehensive sanitation.

The phase aims to prevent a return to open defecation, ensure continued toilet usage and maintenance, and establish effective systems for solid and liquid waste management. It also seeks to improve visual cleanliness by reducing litter, stagnant wastewater and plastic waste dumps in public places.

Key Features of SBM-G Phase II

Sustaining ODF Status

The mission seeks to ensure the continued use and maintenance of toilets and prevent villages from slipping back into open defecation.

Solid Waste Management

The mission promotes effective systems for household waste collection, segregation, processing and disposal, including the management of plastic waste.

Liquid Waste Management

The mission encourages appropriate systems for managing greywater and other liquid waste through drainage, treatment and wastewater-management facilities.

Visual Cleanliness

The mission aims to maintain clean public spaces by reducing litter, stagnant wastewater and plastic waste accumulation in villages.

ODF Plus Categories

Under SBM-G Phase II, villages are assessed according to their progress in sustaining ODF status and implementing waste-management systems.

GOBARdhan Initiative

GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) is an umbrella initiative under SBM-G Phase II that promotes the conversion of cattle dung, agricultural crop residue and organic waste into useful products.

These include biogas, compressed biogas (CBG) and organic manure or bio-slurry. The initiative supports scientific waste management, resource recovery, environmental sustainability and rural livelihood generation.

Significance of SBM-G

Behaviour Change Communication

SBM-G has shifted the emphasis from merely constructing toilets to promoting sustained sanitation and hygiene practices. It encourages safe toilet usage, handwashing, safe water storage, waste segregation, composting and responsible waste disposal.

Women as Sanitation Change Agents

Women have emerged as important participants in sanitation transformation through Swachhagrahis and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). They promote toilet usage, conduct awareness campaigns, support waste management and strengthen community-level sanitation practices.

Role of Schools in Sanitation Awareness

Schools help develop sanitation habits among children by promoting hygiene education, waste management and environmental responsibility. Students can carry these practices from schools to their families and communities.

Community Institutions and Local Governance

Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) support sustainable sanitation through village-level planning, waste management, awareness activities and community mobilisation. They connect individual sanitation practices with collective village-level outcomes.

Jan Bhagidari and Citizen Participation

Cleanliness has evolved into a people-led movement through initiatives such as Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS). These initiatives encourage citizens, SHGs, youth groups, schools and local institutions to participate in maintaining public cleanliness.

Sanitation and Livelihood Generation

The mission has created livelihood opportunities in waste collection, recycling, composting, sanitation infrastructure and maintenance services. Women-led enterprises and community groups can play an important role in these activities.

Waste-to-Wealth and Circular Economy

Initiatives such as GOBARdhan convert organic waste, cattle dung and agricultural residue into biogas, CBG and organic manure. This supports a circular economy by turning waste into valuable resources while creating rural livelihood opportunities.

Sustainable Sanitation and Resource Recovery

Community-led greywater treatment can contribute to water conservation, groundwater recharge, irrigation support and environmental sustainability. Appropriate treatment and reuse systems also help reduce stagnant water and environmental contamination.

Concerns and Measures Needed

Sustaining ODF Status and Hygiene

Continued toilet usage, handwashing and safe water practices remain essential to prevent villages from slipping back into open defecation. Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) should be strengthened through Swachhagrahis, SHGs, schools and community participation.

Gaps in Solid and Plastic Waste Management

Inadequate waste collection, segregation, processing and disposal can undermine rural cleanliness. Villages need stronger decentralised waste-management systems that promote recycling, composting and scientific disposal.

Inadequate Liquid Waste Management

Poor greywater and wastewater management can cause stagnant water and environmental contamination. Appropriate systems should promote drainage, treatment, reuse, water conservation and groundwater recharge.

Weak Local Institutional Capacity

Gram Panchayats require sustained technical, financial and managerial capacity to plan, monitor and maintain sanitation infrastructure. Sanitation should be integrated into village development planning.

Limited Livelihood Opportunities

Sanitation infrastructure requires continuous operation and maintenance, while waste remains an underutilised resource. Expanding GOBARdhan, recycling, composting and waste-to-energy models, alongside support for women-led enterprises and SHGs, can help address this challenge.

Need for Greater Community Ownership

Long-term sanitation outcomes depend on sustained public participation rather than government-led infrastructure creation alone. Jan Bhagidari should be strengthened by involving citizens, youth, schools, SHGs and local institutions through initiatives such as Swachhata Hi Seva.

Conclusion

India's sanitation journey has progressed through three broad stages: Access → Usage → Sustainability. SBM-G has transformed sanitation from a programme focused on infrastructure creation into a people-led movement based on behavioural change, community ownership and sustainable waste management.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) off Paradip, Odisha, to strengthen maritime safety and improve coordination among agencies involved in search and rescue operations.

About SAREX-2026

SAREX-2026 is a multi-agency exercise designed to enhance preparedness, coordination and operational capabilities for maritime search and rescue (SAR) missions.

The exercise aligns with India’s SAGAR and MAHASAGAR visions for maritime cooperation and regional engagement.

• Conducting agency: Indian Coast Guard.

• Location: Off Paradip, Odisha.

• Edition: 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise.

• Theme: “Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety.”

• International participation: 32 observers from 30 countries.

The participation of international observers facilitated the exchange of best practices, strengthened global interoperability and reaffirmed India’s role as a dependable maritime search and rescue partner.

Participating Forces and Assets

The exercise involved multiple agencies and a combination of maritime, aerial and shore-based resources.

The coordinated deployment demonstrated the importance of inter-agency cooperation during complex maritime emergencies.

Major Activities Conducted

Mass Rescue Operation

The sea exercise simulated a Mass Rescue Operation (MRO) following simultaneous aeronautical and maritime distress emergencies.

In the simulated scenario, a passenger aircraft carrying 228 persons ditched at sea near Paradip Port. Its fuselage struck the container vessel MV Zumba, causing structural damage and a fire.

The scenario tested the ability of participating agencies to coordinate rescue operations involving a large number of people in a complex maritime environment.

Rescue and Emergency Response Operations

The exercise involved several emergency response procedures, including:

• Incident Command Post activation to coordinate operations and manage emergency response.

• Firefighting operations to control the simulated fire aboard the vessel.

• Helicopter evacuations to rescue people from the affected area.

• Deployment of life rafts and air-droppable life rafts to provide emergency flotation and evacuation support.

• Jason Cradle and Gemini recovery procedures for recovering people from the water.

• Rescue basket operations and scramble net procedures to facilitate the recovery of survivors.

• Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) demonstration to showcase technology-enabled maritime operations.

Significance of SAREX-2026

Strengthening Maritime Safety

The exercise improves preparedness for maritime accidents involving passenger vessels, aircraft and commercial shipping. It also helps agencies practise coordinated responses to emergencies involving large numbers of people.

Enhancing Inter-Agency Coordination

The participation of the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, civil agencies and state resources strengthens coordination during complex search and rescue operations.

Promoting International Cooperation

The participation of observers from 30 countries encourages the exchange of operational knowledge and best practices, improving interoperability during regional maritime emergencies.

Leveraging Technology

The use of helicopters, specialised recovery equipment and remotely operated vehicles highlights the role of technology in improving rescue efficiency and maritime emergency response.

A rare two-headed diamondback terrapin hatchling was recently discovered on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the United States. The unusual hatchling has drawn attention to a rare developmental abnormality known as polycephaly, in which an animal develops more than one head.

About Diamondback Terrapin

The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a species of turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is adapted to coastal environments and is known for its distinctive shell patterns.

Habitat

Diamondback terrapins inhabit brackish and coastal environments, including tidal creeks, lagoons, tidal flats, salt marshes, estuaries and coastlines. They are adapted to water with varying levels of salinity.

Distribution

The species is native to the eastern and southern United States and is also reported from Bermuda. Along the Atlantic coast of the United States, its range extends from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the north to the Florida Keys in the south.

Physical Characteristics

The common name diamondback terrapin refers to the diamond-shaped patterns on the upper shell, known as the carapace.

The body and head generally display distinctive wavy black markings or spots. These turtles have large, webbed feet, which help them swim efficiently.

Behaviour and Adaptations

Diamondback terrapins spend most of their lives in water but emerge to bask in the sun and lay eggs.

In colder parts of their range, adults may hibernate during winter, remaining in the mud of creeks and marshes.

Food Habits

Diamondback terrapins are primarily carnivorous. Their diet includes fish, marine snails, clams, mussels and other molluscs.

Conservation Status

According to the supplied source, the diamondback terrapin is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

India accounted for 5.7% of global greenfield investment during 2020–2025, more than double China’s share of 2.8%, according to the latest Trade and Development Report 2026.

The report also highlights India’s strong economic growth prospects, increasing manufacturing capacity and the growing importance of developing economies in the global economy.

About the Trade and Development Report

The Trade and Development Report was first published in 1981 and is released annually by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

It analyses global economic trends, international trade, investment flows and major economic policy issues. It also provides policy recommendations to address challenges affecting the global economy.

What Is Greenfield Investment?

Greenfield investment is a form of foreign direct investment (FDI) in which a company establishes a new business facility or operation in another country instead of acquiring an existing business.

It includes the construction of new factories, manufacturing plants, data centres and other infrastructure.

Greenfield investment contributes to employment generation, technology transfer, manufacturing capacity and economic development in the host country.

Key Highlights of the Trade and Development Report 2026

Global Trade Trends

Global trade is projected to grow by 4% in 2026, compared with 4.4% in the previous year. Global trade reached a record $35 trillion in 2025.

Higher energy prices and export controls have contributed to increases in trade values.

Trade between China and the United States has declined by more than 20% since 2024. Meanwhile, East Asian economies have expanded their trade relationships with both China and North America.

Global Economic Growth Projections

Global economic growth is projected to slow to 2.6% in 2026, compared with 2.9% in 2025.

Developing economies are expected to grow by 4% in 2026, down from 4.7% in 2025.

Asia is projected to contribute 59% of global economic growth in 2026, highlighting its growing importance in the world economy.

Growing Importance of Strategic Sectors

Governments are increasingly using industrial, trade, financial and technology policies to achieve economic and national security objectives.

Strategic sectors increased their share of global greenfield investment from 16% in 2020 to 44% in 2025.

The major investment sectors during 2020–2025 were:

These sectors accounted for significant investment within the reported $845.7 billion in global greenfield investment during the period.

Artificial intelligence-related products, particularly advanced computing equipment deployed in data centres, have become an important driver of merchandise trade.

Regional Distribution of Strategic Investment

Strategic investment remains concentrated in a few major regions.

Within developing Asia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are important destinations for new investments.

India-Specific Findings

India's Share in Global Greenfield Investment

India accounted for 5.7% of global greenfield investment during 2020–2025, compared with Malaysia at 4%, Indonesia at 3.8% and China at 2.8%.

This highlights India's growing importance as a destination for new investment projects.

However, greenfield investment is distinct from total FDI inflows and the overall stock of foreign investment in a country.

Industrial Policy Measures in India

The report examined India's use of industrial policies to promote economic development and strategic sectors.

These figures indicate that India has used industrial policies extensively, although its relative position changed during the more recent period.

India's Economic Growth Outlook

India is projected to remain the fastest-growing major economy, with GDP growth expected to reach 7.3% in 2026 and 6.8% in 2027.

The principal drivers of India's economic growth include:

• Robust domestic demand, which supports production and consumption.

• Increasing manufacturing capacity, which strengthens industrial development.

• Public infrastructure programmes, which improve connectivity and economic productivity.

• Household consumption, which remains an important source of economic activity.

Household consumption is projected to grow by 6.9% in 2026 and 5.6% in 2027.

Despite these positive factors, India's substantial dependence on oil imports leaves its economy vulnerable to fluctuations in international energy prices.

Significance for India

Investment and Employment Generation

Greenfield investments can create employment opportunities, expand industrial capacity and strengthen domestic production.

Technological Advancement

Investment in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and energy-transition technologies can help India participate more effectively in global value chains.

Economic Resilience

Strong domestic demand and public infrastructure investment can support India's economic growth despite geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in global trade.

Policy Challenges

India needs to improve infrastructure, workforce skills, research and development, and regulatory predictability to attract investment and convert it into productive economic activity.

The Sepahijala Zoological Park, located within Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, has welcomed three new Royal Bengal tiger cubs, taking the zoo’s tiger population to seven.

About Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary

Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the state of Tripura in northeastern India. It is known for its rich biodiversity, diverse primate population and moist deciduous forests.

Location and Important Features

The sanctuary contains two natural lakes, Abasarika Lake and Amrit Sagar Lake.

The Clouded Leopard National Park was established in 2007 as a core zone within the sanctuary. It is an important conservation area for the clouded leopard and other wildlife.

Vegetation

The sanctuary is predominantly covered by moist deciduous forests and supports a diverse range of plant species.

Flora

The sanctuary contains approximately 456 plant species.

Important tree species include Sal, Chamal, Garjan and Kanak.

Other vegetation includes Pichla, Kurcha, Awla, Bahera, Hargaja, Amlaki, bamboo and grasses.

Fauna

Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary is particularly known for its diversity of primates.

Important primate species found here include:

• Rhesus macaque

• Pig-tailed macaque

• Capped langur

• Spectacled monkey

• Slow loris

Other mammals include the leopard, clouded leopard, barking deer, wild pig and civets.

The crab-eating mongoose, which had reportedly not been seen in the area since the 1930s, has also been recorded again, highlighting the importance of wildlife monitoring and conservation.

Avian Diversity

The sanctuary supports a rich variety of birdlife. Important birds mentioned in the supplied source include winged storks, whistling teals and white ibises.

The Permanent Missions of India and Mali commemorated World Cotton Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, highlighting the importance of cotton and international cooperation in the cotton sector.

About Mali

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is known for its extensive desert landscapes, the Niger River and significant mineral resources.

Capital: Bamako.

Bordering Countries

Mali shares its borders with seven countries.

Geographical Features

Climate: Mali experiences a tropical savanna climate in the south, which gradually transitions into an arid desert climate in the north.

Topography: Approximately 65% of the country consists of desert or semi-desert terrain. The Sahara Desert occupies a large part of northern Mali.

The landscape transitions from the Sahara Desert in the north, through the Sahel region, to the Sudanian savanna in the south.

Major River

The Niger River flows through Mali and serves as one of its principal sources of water. It supports agriculture, fishing, transportation and human settlements.

Highest Point

Hombori Tondo, at approximately 1,155 metres, is the highest point in Mali.

Natural Resources

Mali possesses significant mineral resources, including gold, uranium, diamonds, copper, iron ore, zinc, manganese and bauxite. Gold is particularly important to its economy.