Dr. Jitendra Singh Reviews 'Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0': 15 Lakh Citizens Take Ocean Conservation Pledge

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has commended the massive public participation witnessed during the recently concluded 'Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar' 5.0 campaign. Highlighting the scale of citizen engagement, the Minister noted that over 15 lakh individuals took the Ocean Conservation Pledge, reflecting a profound nationwide commitment to marine environmental protection and sustainable coastal ecosystems.

The landmark coastal clean-up campaign, conducted from September 12 to 19, 2026, spanned across 231 vital coastal locations across 13 States and Union Territories. The initiative successfully united citizens, student communities, coastal residents, administrative agencies, scientific institutions, and dedicated volunteers in a synchronized national mission for cleaner beaches and safer, plastic-free seas.

Key Highlights & Major Announcements

• Massive Outreach: Over 15 lakh people actively participated and took the Ocean Conservation Pledge during 'Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar' 5.0.
• Nationwide Footprint: Coastal clean-up operations were executed successfully across 231 distinct locations in 13 States and UTs.
• Scientific Synergy: Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the Monthly Review Meeting of Scientific Ministries and Departments, urging tighter coordination and the establishment of city-based scientific clusters.
• Digital Library of Scientific Achievements: Progress was reviewed on the upcoming common repository of videos and communication outputs, with CSIR-NIScPR acting as the nodal implementation agency.
• 'Vigyan Ki Baat' Lecture Series: Preparations for the second edition on September 26, 2026—focusing on foundational physical sciences and quantum technology—were finalized following the successful inaugural session on August 29.
• CSIR@85 Milestones: Reviewed preparations for the upcoming CSIR@85 programme scheduled for September 25, 2026, alongside updates regarding ESTIC-2026.

Bridging Laboratories and Society: The Vision for Indian Science

Beyond reviewing the ecological drive, the high-level monthly review meeting focused heavily on bridging the gap between India's advanced scientific laboratories and the common citizen. Chaired by Dr. Jitendra Singh, the meeting brought together the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, along with Secretaries from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), and the CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

During the deliberations, the Union Minister emphasized that India's premier scientific institutions must operate with heightened visibility and seamless institutional synergy. By fostering city-based scientific clusters, related institutions and multi-disciplinary stakeholders can pool their intellectual and material resources to address complex developmental challenges. The strategy aims to ensure that breakthrough research emerging from academic and industrial labs translates tangibly into societal benefits.

Strengthening the Science Communication Ecosystem

A major focus of the review meeting was revamping the communication architecture across all science ministries. Recognizing that cutting-edge innovations often remain confined within academic circles, the leadership underscored the necessity of timely, engaging, and accessible public outreach. Modern digital communication formats, including short-form video content highlighting technological milestones by DST, DBT, DSIR/CSIR, and MoES, are being aggressively scaled up.

Central to this outreach strategy is the upcoming Digital Library of Scientific Achievements. Envisioned as a comprehensive centralized repository, the digital library will curate high-quality videos, documentaries, and archival assets showcasing India's scientific triumphs. CSIR-NIScPR has been designated as the nodal institution responsible for formulating the implementation framework and resource-pooling modalities across all participating science departments.

"India’s scientific achievements must be visible, accessible, and deeply relevant to society. By sustaining the momentum of public participation in environmental initiatives like Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar and strengthening our communication ecosystem, we forge an unbreakable bond between scientific awareness, environmental responsibility, and citizen-led national development." — Dr. Jitendra Singh

Promoting Public Discourse Through 'Vigyan Ki Baat'

To foster a science-literate populace and encourage direct interaction between researchers and the public, the Department of Science & Technology's monthly lecture series, 'Vigyan Ki Baat', has emerged as a vital platform. The inaugural edition, held on August 29, 2026, registered an impressive turnout of over 7,500 participants spanning academia, research institutions, and the industrial sector.

Building on this success, the second edition is scheduled for September 26, 2026. It will feature the Director of the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, who will deliver expert insights on cutting-edge advances in foundational physical sciences and quantum technology—a critical frontier for India's technological self-reliance.

Significance & National Impact

The convergence of large-scale environmental campaigns like 'Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0' with high-level scientific governance underscores a holistic approach to national progress. Environmental stewardship and technological advancement are intrinsically linked; clean marine ecosystems are vital for coastal biodiversity, climate regulation, and the burgeoning Blue Economy.

Furthermore, by systematically streamlining inter-ministerial coordination and institutional communication ahead of major milestones like CSIR@85 and ESTIC-2026, the Government of India is ensuring that public investments in research yield maximum socioeconomic dividends. Cultivating a scientific temper among the youth, amplified through structured digital outreach and community participation, lays a robust foundation for Viksit Bharat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What was the scale of the 'Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0' campaign?

The campaign, conducted from September 12 to 19, 2026, covered 231 coastal locations across 13 States and Union Territories, witnessing over 15 lakh citizens taking the Ocean Conservation Pledge.

2. Who chairs the Monthly Review Meeting of Scientific Ministries in India?

The review meeting is chaired by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences.

3. What is the objective of the proposed Digital Library of Scientific Achievements?

The Digital Library aims to serve as a common repository of videos, documentaries, and communication products showcasing India's scientific milestones, with CSIR-NIScPR acting as the nodal institution.

4. When is the second edition of the 'Vigyan Ki Baat' lecture series scheduled?

The second edition is scheduled for September 26, 2026, focusing on advancements in foundational physical sciences and quantum technology.

Official Source & Verification

This article is grounded on the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India (Release ID: 2313111, Ministry of Science & Technology). Access the official document: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2313111&lang=1.