ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2025

The ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards is a flagship event in the sanitation sector and has established itself as a leader in this sector at a national level since its inception in 2017. The 9th edition of the ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2025 will honour organizations and individuals working on the best practices in the sanitation space, supporting WASH financing, and transforming sanitation across India. These prestigious awards are supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, further enhancing their credibility and impact. The awards recognize those driving positive initiatives to create a cleaner, healthier, safer, and more equitable nation. Beyond offering recognition, the ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards act as a key catalyst for change, showcasing exceptional work in the sector while opening new opportunities for investment and business growth.

This year’s edition of the ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards also marks the 10th anniversary of the India Sanitation Coalition (ISC), a milestone that underscores our decade-long commitment to advancing sanitation in India. Over the past ten years, ISC has grown significantly, not only in terms of the impact of its initiatives but also in shaping the conversation around sanitation. These awards continue to honor outstanding contributions from a diverse array of sectors, including corporate initiatives, non-profits, government bodies, and grassroots organizations, as well as highlighting innovations in plastic recycling and waste management. As ISC celebrates a decade of work, these awards serve as a reflection of our ongoing journey to foster a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable India.

The 2024 edition recognized winners from eleven categories. With over 100 entries received, it was a remarkable achievement, as both the quantity and quality of submissions stand out. One such notable winner in the Women Changemaker in Sanitation category was Sonam Ratubha Sodha, Managing Director & COO of Himalayan Hemp Industries. She launched the world's first lab-validated cannabis hemp sanitary pads, offering a unique solution to menstrual hygiene, environmental pollution, and economic empowerment among marginalized women groups in the villages. Another winner, JK Nanosolutions, a Bengaluru-based startup founded in 2017, specializes in nanotechnology for wastewater treatment, achieving up to 98% efficiency. Their affordable, low-maintenance solution also provides employment and training opportunities for marginalized communities, promoting inclusivity. The 8th edition of the awards was particularly significant for another reason, as a new category, "Best SHG Model in Livelihood for WASH," has been introduced, which invites participation from SHGs involved in sanitation, including waste management. The winner of this category WINMIN (meaning "star and galaxy" in Tamil) the Self-Help Group (SHG) federation spearheaded by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) has led a transformative sanitation initiative in Indiranagar, providing interest-free loans, technical support, and material procurement options to empower local households to build and design their own toilets.

The ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards stood out for their rigorous adjudication process, overseen by a distinguished panel of jurors from diverse institutional backgrounds, all united in their commitment to sanitation. The panel, led by Padma Vibhushan Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was dedicated to recognizing only the most outstanding contributions to sanitation.

The ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2025 will honor winners across nine categories with a detailed theme around WASH and Plastic Waste Management for the ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards, incorporating the concepts of BUILD, USE, MAINTAIN, TREAT, REUSE, RECYCLE, and WATER to cover all aspects of WASH.

Reshaping the ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2025: Aligning with Viksit Bharat

The 2025 edition of the ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards aligns with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat, honouring initiatives that contribute to national missions such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Har Ghar Jal. Key highlights of the revamped awards include:

  1. Revamped Categories with a Development Focus:
    • Building a Developed India: Excellence in Sanitation and Plastic Waste Solutions
    • Leaders for a Developed India: Capacity Building in WASH
    • Empowering Future India: WASH in Schools Excellence
  2. Scalability and Replication:
    • Emphasis on projects with the potential for broader community impact.
  3. Monetary Prizes:
    • Introduction of cash awards for NGOs, social organizations, and individuals to support grassroots impact.
  4. Holistic WASH Focus:
    • Inclusion of solid waste management, plastic waste solutions, innovative financing, and community-driven approaches for rural and urban challenges.

By spotlighting efforts aligned with Viksit Bharat, the awards aim to inspire innovation and celebrate changemakers contributing to a cleaner, healthier India.

Categories

From the 2025 edition, we are excited to introduce revamped categories aligned with the evolving needs of the WASH ecosystem, focusing on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability-

Category Awards Name
Category 1 Excellence in Build/Rebuild/Use of WASH and Plastic Waste Infrastructure using Innovation Download
Category 2 Excellence in Sustainable Maintenance and Community Management of WASH Systems Download
Category 3 Excellence in Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Download
Category 4 Excellence in Faecal Sludge Management Download
Category 5 Excellence in Plastic Waste and Sustainable Resource Management Download
Category 6 Women Changemakers in Sanitation Leadership Download
Category 7 Best Skilling Initiative In WASH Download
Category 8 Innovation in Hygiene Behavior Change
8A Best Hygiene Promotion Campaign Download
8B Special Focus on WASH in Schools Download

How to Apply:

Download the application forms from the links provided above with each category.

Complete the form and email it to awards@isc.ficci.com with the subject line: “ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2025: Entry for Category No. (Category Number): (Category Name)”

The deadline for the submission of the completed application form is 15th April 2025 .

Don't Miss Out!

This is your chance to gain national recognition, connect with industry leaders, and showcase your work on a prestigious platform. Submit your application now and be a part of India’s journey towards Swachhata!

If you have any questions, kindly contact us via email at awards@isc.ficci.com

Join Us in Celebrating Excellence in Sanitation!

WINNERS
2024
WINNERS
2023
WINNERS
2022
WINNERS
2021
WINNERS
2020