**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the performance of the National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC) for FY 2025–26, highlighting the disbursement of ₹223.47 crore in concessional finance. The document details key achievements in the socio-economic upliftment of sanitation workers, waste pickers, and manual scavengers as of March 31, 2026. Major focus areas include financial inclusion, mechanized sanitation, and rehabilitation through subsidies and skill training.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Financial Performance and Outreach**
* Disbursed ₹223.47 crore to 29,448 beneficiaries, of which nearly 97% were women.
* Increased the average loan size to ₹77,000, representing a 16.67% rise from the previous year.
* Reached a cumulative loan disbursement of ₹3340.67 crore, benefiting over 6.08 lakh individuals since inception.
* Executed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with SIDCO to implement schemes in Ladakh.
**Mechanization and Entrepreneurship (NAMASTE and SUY)**
* Achieved full utilization of funds released by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment under the NAMASTE Scheme.
* Released ₹14.84 crore in upfront capital subsidies to 320 "Sanipreneurs" under the Swachhata Udyami Yojana (SUY).
* Allocated ₹2.89 crore to the Government of Puducherry for the procurement of six sanitation vehicles/equipment.
**Rehabilitation and Welfare of Waste Pickers**
* Profiled 3,76,209 waste pickers, with 2,49,166 validated through e-KYC.
* Distributed PPE kits to 1,31,279 waste pickers and provided occupational safety training to 1,565 individuals.
* Imparted skill upgradation training to 3,492 sewer and septic tank workers nationwide.
**Manual Scavenger Rehabilitation (SRMS)**
* Released ₹4.72 crore in capital subsidies to 204 manual scavengers and their dependents.
* Assisted 74 beneficiaries in procuring 40 CNG/petrol and 34 electric autorickshaws to promote green livelihoods.
**Social and Educational Support**
* Sanctioned ₹90 lakh in education loans for five wards of sanitation workers to pursue higher studies abroad.
* Implemented CSR initiatives including menstrual hygiene programs, zero-waste village models, cervical cancer vaccinations, and RO water facilities in schools across various states.
**Impact Analysis**
**Sanitation Workers and Waste Pickers**
**Impact**
Beneficiaries receive enhanced financial security through increased loan sizes, improved occupational safety via PPE kits, and higher dignity of labor through mechanization.
**Action Required**
Eligible individuals should complete e-KYC validation and enroll in skill upgradation or occupational safety training programs.
**Manual Scavengers and Dependents**
**Impact**
Individuals are provided with sustainable livelihood alternatives and financial subsidies to transition away from manual scavenging into transport or other self-employment sectors.
**Action Required**
Apply for capital subsidies under the SRMS and participate in rehabilitation schemes for procuring green-fuel vehicles.
**State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) and SIDCO**
**Impact**
These agencies are empowered through national-level meetings and new agreements (such as in Ladakh) to strengthen outreach and implementation of NSKFDC schemes.
**Action Required**
Collaborate on national-level implementation strategies and execute regional outreach as per the MoA and established guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC): A Government of India undertaking that provides concessional finance and support for the socio-economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis, waste pickers, and manual scavengers.
National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme: A national initiative implemented by NSKFDC aimed at achieving zero fatalities in sanitation work and promoting mechanized cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
Swachhata Udyami Yojana (SUY): A scheme providing capital subsidies and financial assistance to promote sustainable mechanized sanitation-based livelihoods and equipment procurement.
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS): A program focused on providing capital subsidies and support for alternative livelihood activities to rehabilitate manual scavengers and their dependents.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE): The nodal Union Ministry responsible for the administrative oversight and funding of NSKFDC and its various welfare schemes.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
NSKFDC Extends Concessional Finance of ₹223
Crore in FY 2025–26
Posted On: 23 APR 2026 8:49PM by PIB Delhi
The National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC), a Government of India
undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), has been operational since
October 1997, working for the socio-economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis, waste pickers, manual
scavengers, and their dependents through concessional finance and support interventions. Union Minister
for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar has said that NSKFDC continues to play a
pivotal role in empowering sanitation workers by enabling access to financial resources, promoting
dignity of labour, and fostering sustainable livelihoods.
During FY 2025–26, NSKFDC disbursed ₹223.47 crore of concessional finance to 29,448 beneficiaries
(nearly 97% women). The average loan size increased to ₹77,000, marking a 16.67% rise over the
previous financial year. With an authorized share capital of ₹785 crore and paid-up capital of ₹720 crore,
the Corporation has achieved cumulative loan disbursement of ₹3340.67 crore, benefiting over 6.08 lakh
individuals as on 31.03.2026.
To promote mechanisation, NSKFDC released ₹2.89 crore to the Public Health Division, Government of
Puducherry, for procurement of six sanitation equipment/vehicles under the Swachhata Udyami Yojana
(SUY). It also sanctioned ₹90 lakh in education loans for five students/wards of sanitation workers to
pursue higher studies abroad. Further, NSKFDC executed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with
SIDCO for implementing its schemes in Ladakh and convened a national-level meeting of State
Channelizing Agencies to strengthen outreach and implementation across States and Union Territories.
As an implementing agency of the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)
Scheme, the Corporation achieved full utilization of funds released by MoSJE. Under SUY, an upfront
capital subsidy of ₹14.84 crore was released for 320 beneficiaries (Sanipreneurs), an increase from 250 in
the previous financial year, to promote sustainable mechanised sanitation-based livelihoods.
Significant progress was achieved under the Waste Pickers component, with 3,76,209 waste pickers
profiled and 2,49,166 validated through e-KYC. During FY 2025–26, 1,31,279 waste pickers were
provided PPE kits, while occupational safety and skill upgradation training was imparted to 1,565 waste
pickers and 3,492 sewer and septic tank workers across the country.
Under the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), a capital subsidy
of ₹4.72 crore was released to 204 manual scavengers and their dependents, compared to 88 in the
previous year, to support sustainable livelihood activities. Notably, 74 beneficiaries were assisted in
procuring 40 CNG/petrol autorickshaws and 34 electric autorickshaws, contributing to reduced
greenhouse gas emissions.
NSKFDC also undertook CSR initiatives in health, sanitation, and sustainability, including menstrual
hygiene programmes in Madhya Pradesh, a zero-waste village model in Uttarakhand, cervical cancer
vaccination in Mumbai, RO water facilities in schools in Uttar Pradesh, and strengthening of Anganwadicentres in Uttarakhand.
Overall, the performance during FY 2025–26 reflects NSKFDC’s continued focus on empowering
vulnerable sanitation workers through financial inclusion, livelihood support, and comprehensive social
interventions.
***
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