Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase I is the first phase of the central government's main rural sanitation scheme, launched on 2 October 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make rural India free from open defecation. Under this phase, eligible rural households got financial support of ₹12,000 to build an Individual Household Latrine (IHHL), and by October 2019 the mission achieved its main target of making all villages Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase I has been closed by the government. This phase ended in October 2019, after India was declared Open Defecation Free, so no fresh applications are accepted under Phase I now. The government is currently running Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase II, which continues from 2020-21 to 2026-27 and still provides the ₹12,000 toilet construction support to eligible rural families along with solid and liquid waste management work under ODF Plus.
Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen PHASE I - Introduction
Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase I was run by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. When the mission started in 2014, only about 39% of rural households had toilet access. By October 2019, this coverage went up to 100%, and every village in the country was declared Open Defecation Free. In total, more than 12 crore Individual Household Latrines and 2.67 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes have been built under the mission since October 2014.
The phase also gave top priority to long-term cleanliness by promoting better waste management systems. Today, the work continues under Phase II, which focuses on keeping the ODF status and turning villages into ODF Plus (Model) villages. As per the official SBM(G) data from February 2026, over 4.96 lakh villages are already declared ODF Plus (Model), and more than 5.29 lakh villages have solid waste management arrangements. Over 970 GOBARdhan biogas plants are also functional under the mission.
For the financial year 2026-27, the central government has kept ₹7,192 crore for the rural part of Swachh Bharat Mission in the Union Budget 2026. Phase II of the mission is being implemented up to 2026-27, and the government is already planning the next phase of SBM-G.
Primary objectives of the phase:
- To bring a mass-scale change in how people think about sanitation and hygiene.
- To make sure household and community toilets are built and used regularly.
- To build a clear system that keeps India ODF for the long term.
- To promote better Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) solutions.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen PHASE I |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Health & Wellness, Utility & Sanitation |
| Eligible People | Individual, Family |
| Sub Category | Sanitation / Sewage |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Payment | Yes |
| Main Ministry | Ministry of Jal Shakti |
| Open Date | 2014-10-02 |
| Phase I Period | 2014 to 2019 (closed in October 2019) |
| Current Phase | Phase II (2020-21 to 2026-27) |
| Tags | Sanitation, Toilet, Grameen, Swachh Bharat |
Benefits
The scheme provides a financial incentive of ₹12,000 per toilet to eligible rural families to cover construction costs. By helping families build Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) and Community Sanitary Complexes (CSC), it creates safer living environments. The same ₹12,000 support continues under Phase II for families who still need a toilet. In 2025, the department also ran the 'Hamara Shauchalay, Hamara Bhavishya' campaign, which repaired and beautified more than 1 lakh household toilets and over 550 community sanitary complexes. Some state governments run their own toilet support schemes like Shauchalaya Sahayata Yojana for extra help.
Core activities covered:
- Construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHL)
- Development of Community Sanitary Complexes (CSC)
- Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) projects
- Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns for hygiene awareness
- Human Resource Development (HRD) programs
Eligibility
To qualify for this support, you should belong to a rural household that did not have a toilet when the mission started. Priority is given to poor families, including households led by women, the elderly, or persons with disabilities. For example, if Ramesh, a farmer from a rural village, has never had a toilet at home, he can apply to receive the incentive for building one. Under Phase II, the same eligibility rules continue for families that still do not have a toilet. You can check the SBM Gram Panchayat list to see if your village is covered.
Exclusions
Families that already have a functional toilet are not eligible for this financial support, because the main aim is to give facilities to families that do not have one.
Application Process
Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase I is closed for new applications. Families that still need a toilet can apply under the current Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase II through their local Gram Panchayat, which helps with the documents and the checking process. The process usually involves site verification and geo-tagging of the newly built toilet. Applications can also be done online through the UMANG app or the official SBM portal.
STEP 1 - Go to the official UMANG website at web.umang.gov.in or the SBM-G portal and open the registration page.
STEP 2 - Verify your mobile number using an OTP and create a secure MPIN to login.
STEP 3 - Search for the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation services and select the toilet application option.
STEP 4 - Fill in the application form with your details and upload the required documents like Aadhaar card and bank passbook.
STEP 5 - After the toilet is built, submit the geo-tagged photograph for verification. The construction progress is tracked on the SBM(G) IMIS dashboard. You can also use the Swachh Bharat Mission App to check toilet coverage status.
Documents
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank Passbook (for DBT payment)
- Photograph of the constructed toilet (required for geo-tagging and verification)
- Any other residential proof asked by the local authority
References
Official Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen portal
FAQ's
Is Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase I still running?
No. Phase I ended in October 2019 after India was declared Open Defecation Free. The government now runs Phase II of the mission, which is valid up to 2026-27.
What was the main aim of SBM Grameen Phase I?
To make rural India free from open defecation by supporting the construction and regular use of safe toilets.
Who can apply under the current phase?
Rural households that still do not have a toilet can apply through their Gram Panchayat, with preference given to poor families.
Can I apply if I already have a toilet?
No, families with a functional toilet are not eligible for the ₹12,000 support.
What is the role of the Gram Panchayat?
Your local Gram Panchayat is the main contact point for verifying eligibility and making sure the construction meets the required standards.
What type of toilet technology is encouraged?
Twin-pit toilets are promoted because they are cost-effective and produce safe manure over time.
How is the construction progress tracked?
The government uses the SBM(G) IMIS system for real-time tracking, geo-tagging, and verification of built toilets.