NAMSATE Scheme: Objectives, Benefits, Eligibility, How to Apply and Other Details

NAMASTE Scheme: The Government of India launched the NAMASTE Scheme by replacing the previous SRMS scheme to build a formal, mechanized, and safe environment where no worker has to come into direct contact with human waste. The scheme covers all 4,800+ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the country.

The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) is a Central Sector Scheme launched to professionalize India’s sanitation workforce and eliminate hazardous manual cleaning. It represents a paradigm shift from "manual scavenging" to "mechanized sanitation." A  joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Implemented by National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).

As of February 2026, the government has successfully validated 89,114 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and profiled 1.52 lakh Waste Pickers across 35 States/UTs. A major 2026 expansion includes providing sewing machines for alternative livelihood support to beneficiaries who have completed skill development training, alongside the distribution of Ayushman Cards for health coverage.

Key Objective

The primary goal of the NAMASTE scheme is to achieve "Zero Fatalities in Sanitation Work" across India. Its specific objectives include:

• Eliminating Manual Scavenging and ensuring no person is engaged in hazardous manual cleaning.

• Skilling Workers and formalizing the workforce by training them as skilled sanitation professionals.

• Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety devices to prevent occupational hazards.

• Entrepreneurship: Converting "Sanitation Workers" into "Sanipreneurs" by providing subsidies for mechanized cleaning equipment.

Benefits of the Namaste Scheme 

The NAMASTE scheme is designed to transition workers from hazardous manual labor to sustainable, technology-driven livelihoods. By providing direct financial support and social security, it ensures long-term economic stability.

• Profiling and Enumeration: Identification of SSWs and Waste Pickers through digital apps to create a national database.

• Capital Subsidy for 'Sanipreneurs': Workers receive significant government-backed subsidies to purchase specialized sanitation machinery (such as suction machines and jetting equipment), allowing them to become business owners.

• Skill Development Training: Enrolled workers undergo rigorous safety training and machine operation certification, which qualifies them for higher-paying, safer roles in the formal sanitation sector.

• Livelihood / Stipend Support: During the duration of the skill development training, beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend of ₹3,000 to ensure their household income is not disrupted while they transition to new skills.

• Social & Health Security: Every identified worker and their family receives health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme, providing a safety net of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year.

• Accidental Insurance: In addition to health coverage, registered workers are provided with specialized accidental insurance to mitigate risks associated with their profession.

• Emergency Response: Establishment of Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSU) and a dedicated helpline (14420) for mechanized cleaning requests.

Who is eligible for the namaste scheme?

The scheme targets individuals and groups involved in the sanitation ecosystem and eligibility criteria include:

1. Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs): Persons engaged in cleaning, maintaining, or emptying sewers and septic tanks.

2. Waste Pickers: Individuals involved in the collection, sorting, and management of solid waste (added in 2024).

3. Dependents: Family members of identified manual scavengers or sanitation workers seeking alternative livelihoods.

4. Employment Type: Workers engaged by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), private contractors, or parastatal agencies.

5. Age: Beneficiaries must be above 18 years of age.

How to apply for a namaste scheme? 

The application process is primarily driven through Profiling Camps organized by Urban Local Bodies. Following are the process 

Step 1: Profiling & Registration: Workers must participate in the NAMASTE profiling camps held in their respective ULBs. They can also register via the NAMASTE Mobile App.

Step 2: Verification: The data is validated by the ULB and State Nodal Agencies. Once verified, workers are issued Occupational Photo ID Cards.

Step 3: Loan/Subsidy Application: Eligible workers can apply for capital subsidies for sanitation machinery through the Jan Samarth Portal (jansamarth.in) or the NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation) website.

Step 4: Training Enrollment: After registration, workers are enrolled in Skill Development Training programs conducted by recognized agencies.

Safety Standards and Protective Equipment (PPE): 

The NAMASTE scheme mandates that all workers engaged in sewer/septic tank maintenance use specific, high-grade protective gear. Compliance is mandatory to prevent exposure to toxic gases like H2S and CH4.

• Mandatory PPE Kit: Includes full-body non-porous chemical suits, heavy-duty nitrile gloves, steel-toe anti-skid gumboots, and full-face helmets with integrated headlamps.

• Respiratory Protection: Gas masks with high-efficiency filters or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for confined space entry.

• ERSU Equipment: Emergency Response Sanitation Units must be equipped with digital gas detectors, portable ventilation blowers, and safety tripod-harness systems for safe extraction.

 Monitoring, Accountability, and Grievance Redressal: 

The government utilizes a centralized framework to ensure transparency and rapid response to unsafe practices.

• National Helpline (14420): A dedicated, toll-free number where citizens can book mechanized cleaning services. It also functions as a grievance portal for workers to report lack of PPE, safety violations, or non-payment of benefits.

• Real-time Tracking: Every worker is assigned a Unique NAMASTE ID. Their training, insurance coverage (PM-JAY), and equipment distribution are monitored via a centralized MIS dashboard.

• Accountability: The Responsible Sanitation Authority (RSA) at the district level is legally tasked with enforcing the "Zero Fatality" mandate, ensuring that no worker is forced into hazardous manual tasks.

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