Empowering the Unseen: Waste Picker Enumeration App under NAMASTE Scheme

Key Points for SSC & Govt Exam Preparation

  • App Launched By: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Govt of India
  • Occasion: World Environment Day
  • App Name: Waste Picker Enumeration App
  • Scheme Name: NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem)
  • Partner Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
  • Scheme Duration: 2022 to 2026
  • Target Cities: 500 urban cities
  • Target Waste Pickers: 2.5 lakh
  • Benefits:
    • Health insurance under Ayushman Bharat
    • Occupational ID Cards
    • PPE kits
    • Skill training & alternative livelihood support
    • Capital subsidy for sanitation machinery
  • Key Documents Released:
    • Resource Guide for mainstreaming collectives
    • Charting Change report (2023тАУ2025 data)

Full Blog Content

On World Environment Day, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) took a major step toward environmental justice and worker dignity by launching the Waste Picker Enumeration App. This move is part of the broader NAMASTE Scheme, aiming to formally recognize and uplift waste pickers across India.

About the NAMASTE Scheme

NAMASTE stands for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem. It is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Launched in 2022, the scheme will be implemented until 2026, covering 500 urban cities.

Objectives:

  • Achieve zero fatalities among sanitation workers
  • Ensure only skilled workers carry out sanitation tasks
  • Offer alternative livelihood training
  • Encourage formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for managing sanitation enterprises

Major Components:

  • Health Coverage: Inclusion under Ayushman Bharat for workers and their families
  • Skill Development: Counselling and training for alternate jobs
  • Capital Subsidy: For sanitation-related machinery
  • Social Protection: Formal ID cards, PPE kits, and recognition

About the Waste Picker Enumeration App

The Waste Picker Enumeration App is a digital platform developed under the NAMASTE Scheme. It is designed to profile 2.5 lakh waste pickers, bringing them into the formal ecosystem.

Key Features:

  • Digital Enumeration and issuance of Occupational Photo ID Cards
  • Access to social welfare schemes
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Skill development training
  • Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The app also supports waste picker collectives in managing Dry Waste Collection Centres, thereby integrating them into the circular economy of urban waste management.

Knowledge Resources Released

Two major knowledge products were unveiled during the launch:

  1. Resource Guide тАУ Guides stakeholders to integrate waste picker collectives as formal service providers.
  2. Charting Change тАУ A data report (2023тАУ2025) highlighting socio-economic conditions of sanitation workers.

Static GK: Related Organisation & Government Bodies

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE)

  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Current Minister: Dr. Virendra Kumar
  • Objective: Upliftment of marginalized communities including SC, OBC, senior citizens, and differently-abled individuals.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Current Minister: Hardeep Singh Puri
  • Flagship Missions: Smart Cities, Swachh Bharat, AMRUT

Possible Exam MCQs from this Topic

Q1. Which ministry launched the Waste Picker Enumeration App on World Environment Day 2025?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[C] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Correct Answer: [C] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Q2. What is the full form of the NAMASTE Scheme?
[A] National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem
[B] National Agenda for Modern Sanitation Technology
[C] New Action Model for Sanitation Empowerment
[D] National Alliance for Mechanised Sanitation Employees
Correct Answer: [A] National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem

Q3. Under which flagship health scheme do sanitation workers receive coverage in the NAMASTE Scheme?
[A] PMJAY
[B] Ayushman Bharat
[C] Swasthya Sathi
[D] Jan Arogya
Correct Answer: [B] Ayushman Bharat

Q4. How many waste pickers are targeted to be profiled under the new enumeration app?
[A] 1 lakh
[B] 1.5 lakh
[C] 2 lakh
[D] 2.5 lakh
Correct Answer: [D] 2.5 lakh

Q5. Which of the following is NOT one of the knowledge products released during the app launch event?
[A] Charting Change
[B] Resource Guide
[C] Waste Atlas
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: [C] Waste Atlas