The Ministry of Science and Technology has highlighted the strong public response to the Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0 campaign, a coastal cleanup initiative that mobilised 15 lakh people across India’s coastlines. The campaign, held between September 12 and 19, 2026, covered 231 locations spread across 13 states and union territories. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh used the occasion to push for better coordination between India’s science departments and greater public awareness of scientific work.
What the campaign achieved
The Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0 initiative brought together citizens, students, coastal communities, government agencies, scientific institutions and volunteers in a coordinated effort. Participants took an Ocean Conservation Pledge as part of the drive, reflecting a commitment to cleaner coastlines and marine safety. The scale of participation across multiple states indicates significant public interest in ocean conservation activities.
Broader science communication push
Beyond the coastal cleanup, the Ministry is working to improve how scientific achievements reach ordinary people. A new Digital Library of Scientific Achievements is being developed as a shared repository of videos and communication materials showcasing work from India’s research institutions. The Ministry also launched Vigyan Ki Baat, a monthly lecture series through the Department of Science and Technology. The second edition, scheduled for September 26, 2026, will focus on foundational physical sciences and quantum technology. The inaugural session in August 2026 attracted participation from more than 7,500 people from academic and research backgrounds.
Dr. Jitendra Singh called for stronger coordination among science ministries and departments, development of city-based scientific clusters, and better channels for communicating research findings to the public. The emphasis is on ensuring that important work emerging from laboratories reaches citizens beyond the scientific community.
What this means for you
If you live in a coastal area, such environmental initiatives may offer opportunities to participate in conservation efforts. Students and researchers now have better platforms like Vigyan Ki Baat to learn about cutting-edge science happening in Indian institutions. The upcoming Digital Library will make scientific achievements more accessible online, allowing anyone to explore India’s research work in an organised way.