FAST READ
- Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0 runs from 12-19 September 2026 as a week-long nationwide ocean-conservation campaign.
- The Ministry of Earth Sciences initiative includes major beach clean-ups at more than 100 locations, an Ocean Pledge and the first national Ocean Olympiad.
- The campaign uses citizen participation to connect marine litter reduction with coastal ecology and ocean awareness.
WHY IN NEWS
- The fifth edition begins on 12 September, making coastal pollution and marine-litter governance directly relevant for the day's current affairs.
- Its design combines physical clean-up with youth education, digital participation and community mobilisation.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- SSSS 5.0 is scheduled from 12 to 19 September 2026.
- It is the 5th edition of the campaign.
- The campaign is spearheaded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- Beach clean-up activities are planned at more than 100 locations.
- The programme includes an Ocean Conservation Pledge.
- The 2026 edition introduces the first national Ocean Olympiad.
- Activities include cycling rallies.
- Activities also include marathons.
- Human-chain and citizen-engagement activities are part of the programme.
- The campaign includes ozone-day related activities.
- A dedicated SSSS 5.0 website was launched.
- The SAGAR PRAHARI mobile application supports campaign engagement.
- The National Institute of Ocean Technology hosts official campaign resources.
- The initiative emphasises Jan Bhagidari involving students, youth, coastal communities and NGOs.
PRELIMS
- Marine litter can travel across administrative boundaries and requires source-to-sea management.
- Beach clean-ups remove existing litter but do not substitute for upstream waste management.
- The Ministry of Earth Sciences is the lead Union ministry for the campaign.
- Citizen science can complement formal coastal monitoring.
- Microplastics are distinct from visible macro-litter but arise partly from fragmentation of plastics.
- Coastal conservation intersects ecology, livelihoods, tourism and disaster resilience.
QUICK REVISION
- Dates: 12-19 Sep 2026.
- Edition: SSSS 5.0.
- 100+ clean-up locations.
- First national Ocean Olympiad + Ocean Pledge + SAGAR PRAHARI app.