UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 332 Sanitation Worker Deaths Reported in 18 States, UTs Due to Hazardous Sewer and Septic Tank Cleaning Between January 2021 and June 2026

Q1. Under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the expression 'hazardous cleaning' of a sewer or septic tank is best described as—

  • A. manual cleaning by an employee without the employer providing protective gear and ensuring observance of prescribed safety precautions
  • B. any cleaning of a sewer or septic tank carried out without prior authorisation from the concerned local authority
  • C. manual cleaning of a sewer that releases toxic gases, irrespective of the safety equipment provided to the worker
  • D. mechanised cleaning of a septic tank undertaken during declared emergency conditions

Q2. Under the MS Act, 2013, the offence of engaging a person for manual scavenging, punishable with imprisonment up to two years or fine up to ₹1 lakh or both, is provided under which Section?

  • A. Section 5
  • B. Section 8
  • C. Section 7
  • D. Section 9

Q3. According to official figures cited in 2025, approximately how many Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) had been profiled under the NAMASTE scheme?

  • A. about 60,600
  • B. about 2,52,000
  • C. about 85,800
  • D. about 3,78,500

Q4. Consider the following statements about the NAMASTE scheme: 1. Identified sanitation workers and their families are extended health insurance under Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY). 2. It is implemented jointly by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. 3. It was launched in the year 2018. 4. It provides for distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Identified sanitation workers and their families are extended health insurance under Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY).
  2. It is implemented jointly by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
  3. It was launched in the year 2018.
  4. It provides for distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the ₹10 lakh compensation for deaths in sewer/septic-tank cleaning: 1. The compensation norm originates from the Supreme Court's ruling in the Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India case. 2. It covers deaths occurring in such cleaning since the year 1993. 3. The compensation is disbursed by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis directly to the families. 4. The Court directed that entering sewer lines without safety gear be treated as an offence even in emergencies. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The compensation norm originates from the Supreme Court's ruling in the Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India case.
  2. It covers deaths occurring in such cleaning since the year 1993.
  3. The compensation is disbursed by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis directly to the families.
  4. The Court directed that entering sewer lines without safety gear be treated as an offence even in emergencies.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q6. The requirement to pay ₹10 lakh compensation to the family of every person who dies while cleaning a sewer or septic tank derives from the Supreme Court's judgment in which case?

  • A. Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India (1984)
  • B. Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India (2014)
  • C. Delhi Jal Board v. National Campaign for Dignity and Rights of Sewerage Workers (2011)
  • D. People's Union for Democratic Rights v. Union of India (1982)

Q7. Consider the following statements about the government's 2026 parliamentary disclosure on sanitation worker deaths: 1. It reported 332 deaths from hazardous sewer and septic-tank cleaning between January 2021 and June 2026. 2. The deaths were reported across all States and Union Territories of India. 3. Statistics on such deaths are maintained by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis. 4. Every reported death was compensated in full within the same financial year, without exception. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It reported 332 deaths from hazardous sewer and septic-tank cleaning between January 2021 and June 2026.
  2. The deaths were reported across all States and Union Territories of India.
  3. Statistics on such deaths are maintained by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis.
  4. Every reported death was compensated in full within the same financial year, without exception.
  • A. 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 1 and 4

Q8. In the government's parliamentary replies a worker dying while cleaning a sewer or septic tank is distinguished from a 'manual scavenger.' A 'manual scavenger', as legally defined, specifically refers to a person engaged in manually handling—

  • A. human excreta from insanitary latrines, open drains or pits, before it fully decomposes
  • B. solid municipal waste and refuse collected from streets and public places
  • C. sludge and effluent generated inside a mechanised sewage treatment plant
  • D. any hazardous industrial or chemical waste stored in confined spaces

Q9. Both the terms 'manual scavenger' and 'hazardous cleaning' of sewers and septic tanks are statutorily defined under—

  • A. the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993
  • B. the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
  • C. the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
  • D. the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993

Q10. Which Union Ministry is the nodal authority for implementing the MS Act, 2013 and the rehabilitation of manual scavengers?

  • A. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which alone implements every sanitation-worker scheme
  • B. Ministry of Jal Shakti, the sole authority for all sewer-related programmes in the country
  • C. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the nodal ministry responsible for the MS Act, 2013 and rehabilitation of manual scavengers
  • D. Ministry of Labour and Employment, which exclusively handles all safai karamchari welfare

Q11. Consider the following statements on the constitutional and institutional dimension of sanitation work: 1. Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. 2. The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was first constituted as a statutory body in 1994. 3. Article 15(2) bars restriction of access to public places on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. 4. Article 21A of the Constitution specifically provides for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.
  2. The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was first constituted as a statutory body in 1994.
  3. Article 15(2) bars restriction of access to public places on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
  4. Article 21A of the Constitution specifically provides for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
  • A. 2 and 4
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q12. Which of the following is the apex financing body that channels credit and capital subsidy for self-employment and rehabilitation of manual scavengers and sanitation workers?

  • A. National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)
  • B. National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)
  • C. National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)
  • D. National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC)