Special Campaign 6.0, Ministry Of Mines, For E-Waste And Circular Economy 2026

Policy Update
Annika Saigal

Introduction

Special Campaign 6.0 is a government-wide cleanliness, e-waste management and public grievance redressal drive organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) [1]. It has evolved from an exercise centred on cleanliness and administrative efficiency into a broader initiative encompassing resource management and environmental sustainability. The campaign seeks to institutionalise Swachhata (cleanliness), reduce the problem of administrative pendency, improve record management and ensure that government resources are efficiently utilised.

Special Campaign 6.0 was conducted from 2 to 31 October 2026, and placed special emphasis on the effective collection, segregation and scientific disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) [1]. This marks an essential development in the campaign’s approach, bringing the management of obsolete electronic equipment into the wider discussion on sustainable resource utilisation.

The Ministry of Mines is an important case study for examining this shift. Through its various e-waste collection initiatives, the Ministry connected responsible waste disposal with the recovery of critical minerals, thereby linking an administrative cleanliness campaign with India’s broader circular economy objectives [3][5].

The central question is whether such initiatives can move beyond short-term collection and disposal exercises to establish more systematic resource-recovery practices within public institutions.

Background

The campaign was introduced in 2021 and has aimed to improve the functioning of government offices through cleanliness drives, disposal of redundant files, resolution of pending public grievances and the removal of obsolete materials [1].

According to the government, the first five editions of the campaign, alongside monthly monitoring of Secretariat Reforms until July 2026, covered more than 24.20 lakh sites, resulted in over 180.48 lakh files being weeded out or closed, and generated more than ₹5,102.91 crore through scrap disposal [1]. Special Campaign 5.0 alone covered nearly 11.6 lakh sites and generated approximately ₹833.92 crore through scrap disposal [1]. These figures demonstrate the administrative and resource-management scale of the initiative.

Special Campaign 6.0 builds on this framework by placing greater emphasis on the scientific management of e-waste. Unlike conventional office scrap, discarded electronic equipment contains materials that may be recovered and reintroduced into productive use. These include metals and other components that have relevance for India’s industrial and critical-mineral requirements.

The shift is very relevant in today’s times considering the growing importance of domestic recycling capacity and the need to reduce dependence on primary mineral extraction.

Ministry of Mines: Integrating E-Waste Management with Critical Mineral Recovery

The Ministry of Mines, along with its attached and subordinate offices, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and autonomous bodies, successfully completed Special Campaign 6, with a focus on the effective collection, segregation and disposal of e-waste [3]. The campaign focused on cleanliness, efficient record management, disposal of pending references, resolution of public grievances and improving administrative efficiency, which are its main and core goals, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to sustainability and good governance.

A key highlight was the extensive drive for the collection and disposal of e-waste. During the campaign, a total of 134.92 tonnes of e-waste was collected/disposed across 96 locations, generating revenue of approx. ₹1.2 crore [3]. The initiative covered offices of the Ministry of Mines , its field offices , and other government offices, promoting responsible e-waste management , resource recovery and environmentally sustainable practices.

During the campaign period, 465 cleanliness campaigns were conducted across the Ministry and its organisations. The campaign generated total revenue of approximately ₹6.19 crore from the disposal of scrap and e-waste and freed approximately 47,881 square feet of office space [3]. These efforts contributed to improved workplace conditions, better utilisation of office space and the promotion of a culture of cleanliness and sustainability.

Under the record management initiative, 13,067 physical files were reviewed, of which 9,470 were weeded out. In the electronic records category, 3,270 e-files were reviewed and 1,812 were closed. Overall, 11,282 files were weeded out or closed, contributing to streamlined record management and improved administrative efficiency [3].

The Ministry also achieved its targets in disposing of Public Grievances/Public Grievance appeals and references received from Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and State Governments. In addition, 7 rules/processes were simplified during the campaign to promote ease of governance and administrative efficiency [3].

Several innovative best practices were undertaken by the Ministry’s organisations to promote environmental sustainability and resource conservation. Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) inaugurated a rainwater harvesting facility at Khetri Copper Complex, Rajasthan, and organised a tree plantation drive at Indian Copper Complex, Jharkhand, under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative [4]. NALCO promoted the use of biodegradable bags in its township and undertook plantation drives under its One Employee – One Green initiative [3][4]. The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) developed a green park on barren land in Ranchi [3]. Other initiatives included innovative waste-to-wealth activities through the reuse of scrap materials, including the creation of decorative plants and toolkits from discarded materials, demonstrating the potential of recycling and creative reuse [3].

Through the dedicated efforts of its offices and organisations, the Ministry of Mines has made significant progress in promoting cleanliness, sustainable waste management, better record management and citizen-centric governance. The achievements of Special Campaign 6 reflect the Ministry’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability, efficient use of resources and the adoption of good administrative practices.

The Ministry of Mines identified effective collection, segregation and disposal of e-waste as a central focus of its Special Campaign 6.0 activities [3].

The initiative was coordinated through the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry, in collaboration with the Materials Recycling Association of India (MRAI). Collection booths were facilitated across government offices and other locations to encourage the responsible disposal of obsolete electronic equipment [3][5].

The initiative was intended not merely to clear discarded electronics from government premises but also to facilitate recycling and the recovery of critical minerals from e-waste, in alignment with the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) [3][5].

The Ministry’s approach also reflects a wider policy development. In September 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹1,500 crore incentive scheme to promote the recycling of critical minerals from secondary sources. The scheme, which runs from FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, seeks to strengthen domestic recycling capacity and support the recovery of critical minerals from materials such as e-waste and spent lithium-ion batteries [6][7].

This creates an important policy context for Special Campaign 6.0 which is that discarded electronics can potentially serve as secondary sources of valuable materials, connecting waste management with resource security and domestic industrial capacity.

But, the extent to which the campaign’s collected e-waste directly enters recycling facilities supported under the incentive scheme has not been established in the published campaign data.

Implementation and Other Sustainability Initiatives

Alongside e-waste collection, the Ministry of Mines and its associated organisations undertook several initiatives aimed at improving resource efficiency and promoting environmentally responsible workplace practices.

The Ministry’s first-fortnight update, published on 16 October 2026, highlighted the following activities [4]:

Water conservation: Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) inaugurated a rainwater-harvesting facility at Khetri Copper Complex, Rajasthan.
Afforestation: A plantation drive was organised at Indian Copper Complex, Jharkhand, under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.
Reduction of single-use plastics: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), Kolkata, discontinued the use of single-use plastic water bottles in meetings and conferences, replacing them with reusable metal bottles and glass jugs.
Workplace sustainability: NALCO introduced initiatives promoting workplace cleanliness and individual environmental responsibility.
Waste-to-wealth: The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) undertook the development of green spaces using previously underutilised land.

These initiatives demonstrate that the Ministry’s sustainability efforts extended beyond e-waste management to include water conservation, reduction of plastic consumption, greening and the reuse of materials.

The combination of these activities is essential because circular economy practices are not limited to just recycling, they also involve reducing resource consumption, extending the useful life of materials and minimising waste generation.

Performance: Assessing the Outcomes of Special Campaign 6.0

The final campaign report released by the Ministry of Mines on 2 November 2026 provides a more comprehensive picture of its achievements [3].

Ministry of Mines: final campaign figures [3]

Indicator	Figure
E-waste collected/disposed	134.92 tonnes
Locations covered by the e-waste initiative	96
E-waste revenue (approx., as reported by PIB)	₹1.2 crore
Cleanliness drives across the Ministry and its organisations	465

Other achievements included-

Approximately ₹6.19 crore generated through the disposal of scrap and e-waste combined.
Approximately 47,881 square feet of office space was freed.
13,067 physical files reviewed, of which 9,470 were weeded out.
3,270 electronic files were reviewed, of which 1,812 were closed.
Seven rules or processes simplified.

The results indicate that the campaign combined environmental initiatives with administrative reforms. However, the distinction between e-waste revenue and overall scrap revenue is important: the ₹1.2 crore figure relates to e-waste, whereas ₹6.19 crore represents the combined revenue from scrap and e-waste disposal.

Comparing progress across Special Campaigns

Campaign	Key emphasis and reported outcomes
1.0–4.0 (2021–24)	Institutional cleanliness, disposal of pending files, scrap management and utilisation of office space [1]
5.0 (2025)	Expanded administrative reforms, cleanliness drives, record management and scrap disposal [1]
6.0 (2026)	Greater emphasis on scientific e-waste collection, segregation, disposal and potential critical-mineral recovery [1][3]

According to the government’s cumulative reporting, Special Campaign 5.0 alone covered nearly 11.6 lakh sites, weeded out 29.52 lakh files, freed 233.75 lakh square feet of office space and generated approximately ₹833.92 crore through scrap disposal [1].

The key development in Campaign 6.0 is therefore not simply an increase in the scale of cleanliness activities, but a more explicit connection between the disposal of obsolete materials and their potential value as secondary resources.

It is important, however, not to treat the campaigns’ reported figures as directly comparable performance indicators. Their reporting periods, institutional coverage and measurement categories differ. The available evidence supports a comparison of policy emphasis, but not a definitive conclusion that environmental performance has improved by a particular percentage.

Impact: Connecting Public-Sector Waste Management with India’s Circular Economy

The importance of Special Campaign 6.0 becomes clearer when it is considered against the scale of India’s e-waste generation.

According to figures provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India’s estimated e-waste generation increased from 12,54,286.55 tonnes in FY 2023–24 to 13,97,955.59 tonnes in FY 2024–25 [8]. Against this national context, the Ministry of Mines’ reported 134.92 tonnes of e-waste collected/disposed during Special Campaign 6.0 [3] is equivalent to approximately 0.01% of India’s estimated annual e-waste generation in FY 2024–25.

This is an indicative comparison rather than directly comparable, since the campaign’s reporting period and institutional coverage differ from the national annual estimate. It therefore provides context for the scale of the campaign rather than measuring its contribution to India’s total annual e-waste management.

Nevertheless, it highlights an important distinction: the campaign’s significance lies less in its contribution to the overall national e-waste volume and more in its potential to establish responsible disposal practices within public institutions.

There is also a wider economic dimension. Electronic waste contains materials that can potentially be recovered and reused, reducing the need for additional primary extraction. By facilitating the collection of obsolete electronics, the Ministry’s initiative creates an opportunity to connect public-sector waste streams with India’s emerging critical-mineral recycling industry.

The government’s ₹1,500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme provides a complementary policy framework. It seeks to develop domestic recycling capacity and incentivise the actual extraction of critical minerals from secondary sources rather than merely the production of intermediate materials [6][7].

However, the campaign’s environmental impact cannot be established through collection figures alone. The Ministry’s final report does not specify the quantities of individual minerals recovered, the proportion of collected e-waste actually recycled, or the extent to which recovered materials re-entered production systems [3].

Consequently, while the initiative demonstrates progress in institutionalising e-waste collection, its contribution to a fully functioning circular economy remains dependent on what happens after collection.

Emerging Issues and Implementation Challenges

Despite the progress reported under Special Campaign 6.0, several challenges need to be addressed before such initiatives can translate into sustained circular-economy outcomes.

The collection-to-recovery gap. The collection of e-waste does not automatically translate into the recovery of critical minerals. The absence of detailed reporting on the quantity of materials actually recovered makes it difficult to assess the initiative’s contribution to resource circularity [3].
Limited outcome-based measurement. The campaign primarily reports quantities collected, revenue generated and office space freed. While these indicators demonstrate administrative progress, they do not necessarily reflect reductions in environmental pollution, resource extraction or landfill disposal.
Recycling infrastructure and capacity. The effectiveness of e-waste collection depends on the availability of registered recyclers and appropriate processing infrastructure. Collection drives need to be supported by adequate recycling capacity to ensure that discarded electronics are processed safely and efficiently [8].
Coordination between policy initiatives. Although Special Campaign 6.0 aligns with the National Critical Mineral Mission and its recycling incentive scheme, the operational relationship between government e-waste collection drives and incentivised recycling facilities remains unclear [3][6][7].
Institutionalising sustainable practices. Campaign-based activities risk remaining temporary interventions unless they are incorporated into regular government procurement, asset-management and waste-disposal procedures.

Way Forward

To strengthen the long-term contribution of Special Campaigns to India’s circular economy objectives, the following measures could be considered:

Improve traceability: Establish transparent tracking mechanisms to monitor e-waste from collection points to authorised recyclers and final processing facilities.
Introduce outcome-based indicators: Alongside the quantity of e-waste collected, publish data on the actual recovery of critical minerals and other reusable materials.
Strengthen institutional coordination: Establish clearer linkages between the Ministry of Mines, JNARDDC, MRAI and recyclers supported under the Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme.
Promote standardised reporting: Develop consistent indicators across government departments to measure collection, recycling, material recovery and responsible disposal.
Integrate sustainability into regular governance: Incorporate e-waste segregation, refurbishment and responsible disposal into routine procurement and asset-management policies rather than relying exclusively on annual campaigns.
Expand public-sector participation: Encourage other ministries, government departments and public-sector enterprises to adopt similar resource-recovery initiatives and share best practices.

Conclusion

Special Campaign 6.0 represents an expansion in the scope of India’s public sector cleanliness and administrative reform initiatives. By placing greater emphasis on e-waste collection, segregation and disposal, the campaign creates an opportunity to connect everyday government administration with broader environmental and resource-security objectives.

The Ministry of Mines’ initiative is particularly relevant because it links the management of discarded electronic equipment with the potential recovery of critical minerals, an increasingly important component of India’s circular economy ambitions.

However, the distinction between waste collection and actual material recovery remains central to evaluating its success. The campaign’s reported achievements demonstrate progress in institutional participation and resource management, but further transparency regarding recycling outcomes, material recovery and long-term environmental benefits is necessary.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of such campaigns will depend on whether they can move beyond periodic cleanliness drives to establish lasting systems of responsible consumption, recycling and resource utilisation within India’s public institutions.

References

Press Information Bureau (PIB), 29 September 2026. Government to Launch Special Campaign 6 from 2–31 October with Focus on Swachhata and Reducing Pendency. PRID 2316474.
PIB, 15 September 2026. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to launch dedicated web-portal for Special Campaign 6. PRID 2310383.
PIB, Ministry of Mines, 2 November 2026. Ministry of Mines Concludes Special Campaign 6 with Significant Achievements in E-Waste Management, Cleanliness and Governance. PRID 2331644.
PIB, Ministry of Mines, 16 October 2026. Ministry of Mines showcases sustainable best practices during the first fortnight of Special Campaign 6. PRID 2324413.
JNARDDC. Special Campaign 6.0 – E-Waste Collection Drive.
PIB, Cabinet, 3 September 2025. Cabinet approves Rs. 1,500 crore Incentive Scheme to promote Critical Mineral Recycling in the country. PRID 2163454.
Ministry of Mines. Critical Minerals Recycling Incentive Scheme. National Critical Mineral Mission portal.
PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, 24 July 2025. Parliament Question: E-waste processing management. PRID 2147876. CPCB, Report on E-Waste Generation and Processing in India, FY 2023–24 and FY 2024–25

About the Contributor

Annika Saigal is a Research and Editorial Intern at IMPRI. She is currently pursuing a B.A. (Honours) in Political Science, with a minor in Economics, at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi.