For eight consecutive years, Indore held the title of India's cleanest city. But the latest Swachh Survekshan results have brought a new city to the top.
The 2025-26 rankings also shine a spotlight on several lesser-known destinations across India. Some are known for their natural beauty, while others have fascinating connections to India's history and wildlife.
From a city associated with white tigers to a Himalayan town that serves as a gateway to popular hill stations, what makes these newly recognised cities stand out? And which destinations have made it to the list?
Navi Mumbai, Surat And Vijayawada Lead The Cleanliness League
Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai topped the Super Swachh League, rising from third place last year. Gujarat's Surat retained second place, while Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada finished third.
Navi Mumbai earned recognition for waste management, regular cleaning of roads and public spaces, sanitation drives and citizen participation through the Swachhata app. Its attractions include Pandavkada Waterfalls, Central Park in Kharghar and the flamingo habitats around Thane Creek.
Surat, known for its textile and diamond industries, is home to Dumas Beach, the Sardar Patel Museum and several food markets.
Vijayawada's attractions include the Kanaka Durga Temple on Indrakeeladri Hill, overlooking the Krishna River, the Prakasam Barrage and the historic Undavalli Caves.
Ujjain And Other Cities Recognised By Population
The survey also recognises cities according to their population.
Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh emerged as the cleanest city in the three to 10 lakh population category. Chandigarh and Guntur secured the next two positions.
Ujjain is particularly known for the Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of India's 12 Jyotirlingas. The city also attracts visitors to Ram Ghat along the Shipra River.
Among cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation secured first place, followed by Jabalpur and Lucknow.
Dewas topped the 50,000 to three lakh population category, while Vita in Maharashtra led the 20,000 to 50,000 category.
Rewa And Puri Get Recognition For Their Riverfronts And Coastlines
The survey introduced separate categories for riverfront and coastal towns. Madhya Pradesh's Rewa topped the riverfront category, followed by Bilaspur and Varanasi.
Known as the City of Waterfalls and Land of White Tigers, Rewa is home to:
Bahuti Falls, nearly 198 metres tall
Chachai, Keoti and Purwa waterfalls
Rewa Fort and Govindgarh Palace
Mukundpur White Tiger Safari and Zoo
Odisha's Puri topped the coastal town category, ahead of Alappuzha and Ratnagiri.
It is known for the Jagannath Temple, its annual Rath Yatra and Golden Beach. Nearby attractions include Konark and Chilika Lake.
Rudrapur Named India's Cleanest Himalayan City
Uttarakhand's Rudrapur emerged as the cleanest Himalayan city in the new category. Jammu and Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir secured second and third place, respectively.
Located in the Terai region, Rudrapur is also known as a gateway to the Kumaon hills. Atariya Devi Temple and Lake Paradise are among its attractions. It also offers access to popular destinations such as Nainital and Jim Corbett National Park.
How Are India's Cleanest Cities Selected, And Why Does It Matter?
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs conducts the annual Swachh Survekshan under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
In 2025-26, cities were assessed on 43 indicators across 10 areas, including waste management, sanitation, visible cleanliness, wastewater treatment and sanitation workers' welfare.
More than 3,000 assessors conducted inspections, supported by citizen feedback, grievance redressal, GPS monitoring and digital verification. The Super Swachh League separately recognises cities with consistently strong past performances.
These rankings encourage better civic services. Proper waste management and sanitation protect public health, while cleaner beaches, riverfronts and Himalayan towns help safeguard fragile ecosystems. Maintaining these standards requires sustained efforts from administrations, sanitation workers and citizens.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
Which city topped India's cleanliness rankings in 2025-26?
Navi Mumbai secured first place in the Super Swachh League, followed by Surat and Vijayawada.
Why is Indore no longer at the top?
After eight consecutive years as India's cleanest city, Indore moved to the Swachh Shehar Jodi category, where it finished second with its partner town, Depalpur. Ahmedabad-Sanand topped the category.
Which city was named the cleanest riverfront town?
Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, known for its waterfalls and white tiger heritage, secured first place.
Which city won the cleanest coastal town award?
Puri in Odisha topped the coastal town category, followed by Alappuzha and Ratnagiri.
Which city was named the cleanest Himalayan city?
Rudrapur in Uttarakhand secured first place, followed by Jammu and Shopian.
How are India's cleanest cities selected?
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs assesses cities across 43 indicators covering waste management, sanitation, visible cleanliness, citizen feedback and other civic services.
