Current Context: On 5 June 2025 (World Environment Day), the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Waste Picker Enumeration App under the NAMASTE scheme to profile and formalize waste pickers nationwide.

ABOUT:

• Scheme Launch: 2023–24 as a Central Sector Scheme; expanded June 2024 to include waste pickers.
• Objective: Formalise and rehabilitate sewer/septic-tank workers and waste pickers.
• App Features: Geo-tagging, demographic profiling, and integration with NSKFDC for benefits.
• Implementing Bodies: MoSJE (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment), MoHUA (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs), and NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation).
• Link to SDG 11: Supports sustainable cities by dignifying informal waste workers.