Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) is a central government scheme that helped identified manual scavengers and their dependents move into dignified alternative work through one-time cash support, skill training, and concessional loans. From the year 2023-24, SRMS has been merged into National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE), and its key components like health insurance, skill training, and upfront capital subsidy are now part of NAMASTE.
SRMS continues to matter because thousands of identified manual scavenger families still receive rehabilitation support through it. After NAMASTE took over from the year 2023-24, eligible people can get the same kind of help through NAMASTE, which is run by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment along with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) - Introduction
SRMS is a central sector scheme revised in November 2013 as per the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013). It was launched to give identified manual scavengers and their dependents an alternative source of income so that nobody has to depend on manual scavenging for survival.
Under SRMS, one identified person from each family got one-time cash support of ₹ 40,000. Identified manual scavengers and their dependents also received upfront capital subsidy up to ₹ 5,00,000 and concessional loans for self-employment projects. The scheme gave a fixed amount as training stipend, and families got health insurance cover under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY.
From July 2023, NAMASTE replaced SRMS. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs together run NAMASTE to make sanitation work safe and mechanised, prevent hazardous cleaning, and give formal support to sewer and septic tank workers. Health insurance under AB PMJAY, skill development training, and upfront capital subsidy for self-employment projects are the components taken from SRMS into NAMASTE.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) |
| Current Status | Subsumed into NAMASTE from 2023-24 |
| Replacing Scheme | NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) |
| Level | Central |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Skills and Employment, Social Welfare and Empowerment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Identified manual scavengers and dependents |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Implementing Agency | National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) |
Benefits
Even though SRMS is now part of NAMASTE, the benefits it offered are still relevant for eligible people because NAMASTE carries them forward:
- One-time cash support: Each identified family gets ₹ 40,000 for immediate rehabilitation.
- Capital subsidy: Beneficiaries can get upfront capital subsidy up to ₹ 5,00,000 to reduce the loan burden.
- Concessional loans: Low-interest loans are available for self-employment ventures, with interest starting at 4% for women for small project loans.
- Skill training: Training of up to two years is provided with a stipend of ₹ 3,000 per month.
- Health insurance: Eligible families get ₹ 5,00,000 health cover under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY.
Subsidy and Loan Structure
| Project Cost Range | Subsidy Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹ 5,00,000 | 50% of project cost |
| ₹ 5,00,000 to ₹ 15,00,000 | ₹ 2.5 lakh + 25% of remaining cost |
| Group projects up to ₹ 10,00,000 per person | Same as individuals, up to ₹ 3.75 lakh per person |
Loan repayment: For projects up to ₹ 5,00,000, loan repayment happens within 5 years. For projects above ₹ 5,00,000, it goes up to 7 years. A flexible 6-month moratorium period is available before repayment starts.
Eligibility
Under SRMS, eligible people were those whose details were captured during official state-conducted surveys and who hold a valid MS-ID or Receipt Number. Sanitation workers and their dependents can get sanitation-related self-employment support by submitting an occupation certificate from a recognized authority. Under NAMASTE, the focus is on sewer and septic tank workers and waste pickers, who are profiled and covered for safety training, health insurance, and capital subsidy support.
Application Process
Offline Process
State government authorities, through Urban Local Bodies and Gram Panchayats, identify eligible manual scavengers and sanitation workers. Applicants must make sure their name is included in the official beneficiary list before applying for any self-employment support.
Online Application for Loans
Applications for loan-linked support are handled through NSKFDC and its State Channelizing Agencies. The steps are given below:
STEP 1 - Visit the official NSKFDC SRMS page and check the current status and application details for the scheme in your state.
STEP 2 - Fill the loan application form with your details and submit it to the nearest District Office of State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) or your local bank branch.
STEP 3 - The District Office verifies the application and forwards viable projects to NSKFDC.
STEP 4 - After review by the Project Appraisal Committee and approval by the Board of Directors, a Letter of Intent is issued to the applicant.
STEP 5 - After signing the agreement, funds are disbursed directly to the bank account.
Documents
Keep these documents ready for the application:
- Aadhaar Card
- Valid proof of identity and address
- Age proof document
- Occupation certificate issued by a designated authority
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Active bank account details
Definitions
Manual Scavenger: A person, whether engaged on a regular or contract basis, who is employed to manually clean, handle, or dispose of human excreta in unhealthy conditions, such as open drains, pits, or railway tracks.
Hazardous Cleaning: Manual cleaning of a sewer or septic tank without the use of proper protective gear or safety devices mandated by law.
Dependent: A family member who is not currently employed and is dependent on the primary manual scavenger. This includes spouses and children aged 18 or older.
References
For further details, visit the official resources: NAMASTE scheme page on Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | SRMS scheme guidelines | Oneindia scheme article
FAQ's
What are the core objectives of this scheme?
The scheme was made to rehabilitate manual scavengers and their dependents into sustainable alternative work and improve their quality of life. From 2023-24, NAMASTE carries forward these objectives.
Is SRMS still active in 2026?
SRMS has been subsumed into NAMASTE from the year 2023-24. Its main components, such as health insurance, skill training, and upfront capital subsidy, are now provided under NAMASTE by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Which documents are essential for the application?
Applicants need Aadhaar card, valid identity and address proof, age proof, occupation certificate, passport-sized photographs, and active bank account details.
Who qualifies as a sanitation worker?
A sanitation worker is an individual engaged in any form of sanitation work, including waste picking or cleaning sewers, but excludes domestic workers.
How is the interest on loans calculated?
For loans up to ₹ 1,00,000, interest is charged at 5% per annum (4% for women). For amounts above ₹ 1,00,000, the rate is 6% per annum.
Who issues the occupation certificate?
Certificates can be issued by local municipal officers, government department heads (gazetted rank), or the Pradhan of Gram Panchayat.