In the latest results of the Central Swachh Survekshan 2025, Shimla has recorded its lowest-ever cleanliness ranking. Out of 824 cities surveyed nationwide, Shimla was ranked 347th—far below its previous position of 188th last year. This marks a significant decline, as the city failed to make it into the top 300 cleanest cities of the country.

Within Himachal Pradesh, Shimla has also slipped from the top spot and now stands third in the state rankings. Theog, a small town in the Shimla district with a population under 20,000, has emerged as the cleanest city in Himachal. Notably, Theog’s waste is managed by the Shimla Municipal Corporation at the Bharyal waste treatment facility. Despite this, Theog has made significant strides in door-to-door waste collection and overall waste management practices.

At the state level, Nadaun in Hamirpur district secured second place, followed by Shimla at third, Palampur (Kangra) at fourth, Sunni Nagar Panchayat at fifth, Narkanda at sixth, and Rampur at seventh. Dharamshala, Solan, and Subathu Cantt. were ranked eighth, ninth, and tenth respectively.

According to the survey report, while there have been improvements in cleanliness in Shimla’s residential colonies and marketplaces, the city lagged behind in several key areas—such as household waste collection, segregation of wet and dry waste, disposal systems, and cleanliness of water sources. Out of a total score of 7,500 points, Shimla received 4,798.

Responding to the results, the Shimla Municipal Corporation has claimed discrepancies in the survey and announced that they will challenge the findings.

The results were announced at an event held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu presented the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 awards. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, and other dignitaries were also present at the ceremony.