Government announces Swachh Sujal Gaon Reel-making contest: Participation details, eligibility, prize and more

Reel making contest

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, has announced a new reel-making contest to promote awareness around the government’s flagship rural sanitation and water supply programmes. Titled the Swachh Sujal Gaon Reel-Making Contest, the competition invites citizens to create short, impactful video reels showcasing real-life stories from villages that have achieved the Swachh Sujal Gaon (clean and water-secure village) status.

Objective of the contest

The campaign seeks to amplify the achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) by highlighting grassroots-level success stories. The idea is to use social media-friendly reels to spread awareness about sanitation, clean drinking water, solid and liquid waste management, and community-driven water conservation efforts in rural India. By crowdsourcing creative content, the ministry also aims to engage younger audiences and build momentum toward sustainable development goals.

Who can participate

The contest is open to all Indian citizens. Participants can be individuals or groups and must ensure their videos are based on real-life examples from villages that fulfil the criteria of a Swachh Sujal Gaon. The village must demonstrate 100% coverage of Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), be open defecation free (ODF Plus), and show effective solid and liquid waste management systems.

Format and theme

Each reel should be between 30 to 60 seconds long. It should focus on capturing inspirational and positive transformation stories — showcasing the village’s journey towards cleanliness and safe water access. Content can include visuals of infrastructure, community participation, or testimonials from local residents, among others.

Submission process

To participate, entrants need to upload their reels to Google Drive and share the link through a designated online form available on the Jal Jeevan Mission website. The last date for submission has not been announced yet, but participants are encouraged to submit early.

Rewards and recognition

The top five winning reels will each receive a cash prize of ₹5,000. Selected entries may also be featured on official platforms of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, including social media, newsletters, and websites.