Top 10 dirtiest city in India 2025: Bengaluru, Chennai among the worst as smaller towns outshine metros

The newly released Swachh Survekshan 2025 report paints a familiar picture of both progress and persistent problems. While several towns have improved their waste collection and public hygiene, others continue to struggle with garbage disposal, clogged drains, and poor sanitation. Notably, many smaller towns have outperformed India’s biggest metros this year — proving that resources alone do not ensure cleanliness.

Bengaluru, often celebrated as India’s “Silicon Valley,” has drawn attention for all the wrong reasons. The city ranked as the fifth dirtiest urban centre in India (in the over-one-million population category), underlining how unchecked growth and lax civic discipline have taken a toll on its cleanliness.

Joining Bengaluru on the list of poorly performing cities are Ranchi, Chennai, Ludhiana, and Madurai — all of which feature among the dirtiest in 2025. Meanwhile, cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Lucknow, Raipur, and Jabalpur have emerged as strong performers, securing places among the cleanest cities in the country.

Delhi too finds itself among the bottom performers, ranking tenth on the list of India’s dirtiest cities. However, metros such as Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai continue to shine, earning recognition in the new “Super Swachh League” for their sustained commitment to urban cleanliness.

This year’s rankings highlight how unplanned expansion, inefficient waste disposal, and civic negligence continue to challenge India’s biggest cities. From industrial hubs struggling with pollution to heritage towns burdened by waste, the list serves as a reminder that India’s journey towards a clean, sustainable urban future still has a long way to go.

Top 10 dirtiest city in India 2025: