Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0: Coastal Cleanup Drive Across 231 Locations in 13 States, 1.5 Million Take Ocean Conservation Pledge

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh recently reviewed the concluded 'Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0' campaign and praised the extensive public participation. Conducted from September 12 to 19, 2026, this coastal cleanup drive took place at 231 locations across 13 states and Union Territories, where approximately 1.5 million people took a pledge for ocean conservation. This nationwide effort saw the participation of citizens, students, coastal communities, government agencies, scientific institutions, and volunteers.

During a monthly review meeting of scientific ministries and departments chaired by Dr. Jitendra Singh, he called for a wider public dissemination of the country's scientific achievements and stronger coordination among science ministries. He suggested the development of city-based scientific groups to bring various institutions and stakeholders together, ensuring that critical work being done in laboratories reaches a broader section of society.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of a proposed digital library intended to showcase scientific achievements, with CSIR-NISCPR serving as the nodal agency. This library will share the work of scientific institutions through videos and other communication products. Additionally, digital outreach efforts being undertaken by the Ministry of Science and Technology (DST), DBT, DSIR/CSIR, and the Ministry of Education were examined.

Discussions were also held regarding the progress of 'Vigyan Ki Baat,' a monthly lecture series by the Department of Science and Technology. The series aims to bring cutting-edge research and technical innovation to the public. The first edition was held on August 29, 2026, with over 7,500 participants. The second edition is scheduled for September 26, 2026, featuring the Director of the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences as the keynote speaker, focusing on fundamental physics and quantum technology.

Furthermore, the meeting reviewed preparations for the CSIR@85 program and ESTIC-2026, scheduled for September 25, 2026. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India's progress in science, technology, and innovation must be visible and relevant to society, which requires strong institutional collaboration and continuous public engagement.

The high-level meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Prof. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; Dr. T. Srinivas Kumar, Secretary, Earth Sciences; and Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanraman, CEO of ANRF.