84% waste-pickers from SC, ST, OBC groups: govt., Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Union government released data on waste-pickers, showing 1.52 lakh workers profiled and validated across 35 States/UTs.
• Nationally, 84.5% of waste-pickers are from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
• Approximately 48.7% of the profiled waste-pickers are women, 51.3% are men, and 0.007% are transgender.
• The enumeration exercise is part of the NAMASTE scheme, aiming to formally recognize waste-pickers and provide protective equipment.

Detailed Insights:

• The NAMASTE scheme aims to eradicate deaths due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks by providing formal recognition and protective gear.
• In Delhi and Goa, a majority of waste-pickers profiled belong to the General category, contrasting the national trend.
• As of January 23, 2026, 60.3% of the profiled waste-pickers are from SC communities, 13.7% from OBC communities, and 10.5% from ST communities.
• The NAMASTE scheme defines waste-pickers as individuals informally engaged in collecting recyclable solid waste for sale, either directly or through intermediaries.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NAMASTE Scheme: Aims to provide support to sanitation workers and eliminate hazardous cleaning practices.
• Urban Local Bodies: Local governing bodies responsible for the administration of cities and towns.
• Enumeration: The process of counting or listing individuals, often for official purposes like surveys or censuses.