MoHUA, IIT Kanpur Launch New Startup Cohort To Accelerate Urban Waste Management Reforms
On November 28, 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur launched the second cohort of the Swachhata Startup programme. This initiative aims to foster innovation in sanitation and waste management, addressing the pressing challenges faced by urban areas in India.
Overview of the Initiative
The Swachhata Startup programme is designed to scale homegrown waste-tech solutions and enhance urban service delivery. The launch event took place during the Swachhata Startup Conclave 2025, where MoHUA Minister of State, Tokhan Sahu, emphasized the importance of engaging with startups to empower young innovators. He stated, “Our engagement with startups is empowering young innovators to build a cleaner, greener, and more self-reliant India, creating jobs, generating revenue, and driving real change on the ground.”
Achievements of the First Cohort
The first cohort of the Swachhata Startup programme was notably successful, supporting 30 startups that collectively boosted their revenue by 11 times and increased funding sixfold. This led to a combined valuation of approximately Rs 500 crore. The first cohort also generated around 2,000 jobs while processing significant amounts of waste, including:
- Over 300 lakh litres of wastewater
- 63,000 metric tonnes of solid waste
Details of the Second Cohort
For the second cohort, a total of 32 startups have been selected to develop solutions focused on:
- Circular waste management
- Waste segregation
- Desludging
- Waste-to-energy conversion
These startups will benefit from the research and development support, incubation facilities, investor connections, and market access provided by IIT Kanpur through partnerships with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Impact on MSMEs
The growing waste-tech ecosystem is expected to significantly benefit Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly small service providers and local waste-processing units. The initiative aims to provide access to:
- Cost-effective solutions
- New business models
- Technology partnerships
These resources will enable MSMEs to modernize their operations, reduce costs, and engage more effectively in city-level waste management contracts.
Future Plans and Goals
MoHUA is also working on building a unified national platform that will connect startups, ULBs, investors, and other stakeholders. This platform aims to facilitate the faster deployment of Indian waste-tech solutions and strengthen the country’s emerging circular economy framework.
The initiative is expected to not only bolster India’s circular economy but also promote swachhata-driven innovation across various cities, thereby contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.
Conclusion
The collaboration between MoHUA and IIT Kanpur marks a significant step towards addressing urban waste management challenges in India. By empowering startups and MSMEs, this initiative is poised to create a positive impact on the environment, economy, and society at large.
Note: This article is based on the latest updates available as of November 2025 and aims to provide insights into the ongoing efforts to enhance urban waste management in India.
