New Delhi: Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, has officially launched the 5th edition of ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 2026: SSSS v.5.0’. Building on its success over the last four years, the initiative has transformed into a powerful grassroots movement inspired by the Swachh Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the campaign unites citizens, students, youth, coastal communities, and volunteer organisations/NGOs nationwide as part of Jan Bhagidhari to protect oceans and keep beaches pristine.
“It’s “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0” from September 12 to 19, 2026. Let’s all come together for sea beach clean-up drives, Ocean pledge, youth activities, rallies and more, to protect India’s vast and precious coastal area. Take the pledge:https://niot.res.in/SSSS/pledge.php . Take the pledge. Be the change. Protect our oceans”, he said through a post on X at the SSSS v.5.0 launch.
In a Video message, Dr Jitendra Singh said, ‘’Today we are launching the fifth edition of Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar. Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar has been growing into a people’s movement. India, as all of us know, has one of the longest stretches of coastal area spanning over 11,000 km and extending from the eastern to the western parts.’’
“Inspired by the vision of Deep Ocean Mission launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Ministry of Earth Sciences brings citizens, students, youth, coastal communities and organisations together to protect our oceans and keep our beaches clean. This year we want to take this movement to an even greater scale.
Swachh Sagar, Surakshat Sagar 5.0 will be a week-long celebration of our oceans from September 12 to September 19, 2026, with activities that bring people together, from major beach clean-up drives and the ocean pledge to the Ocean Olympiad for our youth, cycling rallies, marathons, ozone day activities and many more programmes across the country’’, he added.
He said, “Dear friends, I especially urge you to take part in the Ocean Conservation Pledges by going into the Swachh Sagar Pledge website and take part in its India Coastal Cleanup event. Take this pledge with your family. Take this pledge with your friends. Take this pledge with all those around you. Encourage your school. Encourage your college. Encourage the organisation and community you are associated with to take it. Let this year’s campaign become a massive Jan Bhagidari movement. Let us pledge to keep our shores clean, pledge to protect our oceans and pledge to build a healthier, cleaner, stronger India. So come forward, take the pledge and be a part of Swachh Sagar, Surakshat Sagar 5.0.”
Key Highlights of Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0
Week-Long Celebration: Scheduled from September 12–19, 2026, featuring nationwide engagement activities.
Diverse Events: Major beach clean-up drives across 100+ locations, human chain, cycling rallies, marathons, and citizen engagement activities.
Youth Engagement: Launch of the first-ever national Ocean Olympiad to foster environmental awareness among students and youth.
Digital Launches: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled a dedicated official pledge on ocean conservation, the SSSS v.5.0 website, an introductory video, and a video on activity schedules as part of the SSSS v.5.0.
