The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) observed Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 from 1 to 15 May 2025 at its Headquarters in New Delhi and across all its constituents’ laboratories/institutes/units, as part of the Government of India’s flagship Swachh Bharat Mission, aimed at realising Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean and hygienic India. The “Swachhata Pakhwada” is a concept inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision. The Pakhwada was organised in accordance with the Calendar of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India.

The Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 commenced on 1 May 2025 with a pledge-taking ceremony at CSIR Headquarters. The Swachhata pledge was led by Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director-General, CSIR, and Secretary, DSIR, in the presence of Shri Mahendra Kumar Gupta, Joint Secretary (Admin), CSIR, and Shri Chetan Prakash Jain, Financial Advisor, CSIR and all CSIR HQ’s employees. The collective reading of the pledge reaffirmed CSIR’s commitment to the values of cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility, and set the tone for the activities that followed over the fortnight. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation and was a strong motivational start to the Pakhwada.

During the fortnight, cleanliness drives were conducted across the premises. DG, CSIR, along with all officers and staff of the Headquarters, enthusiastically participated in the cleanliness drive. During the event, the hardworking Safai Mitras were felicitated for their tireless year-round efforts to maintain cleanliness.

Special efforts were made to clear construction debris and dispose of scrap. Further, efforts were made to clear pending e-files in the e-office. Heads of Divisions mobilised their teams for this effort, and the IT Division provided hands-on training sessions on e-file parking and closure. As Pakhwada placed particular emphasis on canteen cleanliness, the Civil Section and the canteen staff revamped the facility, greatly enhancing the user experience. Other activities, such as air conditioning cleaning and water purifier cleaning, have also been carried out.

For the first time, a Photography Competition was introduced as part of the Pakhwada at CSIR Hqrs, an initiative of DG, CSIR, to promote creative engagement with the theme of cleanliness. Alongside this, other competitions such as slogan writing, painting and kavita paath helped raise awareness in a participatory manner.

The Pakhwada concluded on 15 May 2025 with a valedictory function led by the DG, CSIR. Winners of various competitions were acknowledged and felicitated. In her address, DG, CSIR, emphasised that Swachhata is not just a campaign, but a way of life that must reflect in both physical and digital workspaces. She urged all employees to sustain the Pakhwada's momentum and integrate cleanliness into the organisational culture.

The end-to-end implementation of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 at CSIR HQrs was coordinated by Shri Mayank Mathur, Chief Scientist and Nodal Officer for Swachhata Activities, and Dr AS Nirmala Devi, Principal Scientist and Deputy Nodal Officer, along with Standing Swachhata Committee Members Dr P Rama Rao, Ms Deepti Sharma Dullu, Shri Vinod, and Shri Avinash Kumar.

The successful observance of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 at CSIR underlines the institute’s continued commitment to the national Swachh Bharat Mission and fostering a clean, efficient, and responsible work environment.