Call for Nominations: ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2026 (India)

The ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2026 is a national recognition programme in India that celebrates excellence, innovation, and impact in the sanitation and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sector. Organized with support from key government bodies, the awards highlight scalable solutions, promote best practices, and strengthen efforts aligned with national missions like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The 2026 edition marks the 10th anniversary of the awards, reinforcing a decade-long commitment to improving sanitation systems, public health, and environmental sustainability across India.

What are the ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards?

The ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards is a flagship national initiative launched in 2017 to recognize outstanding contributions in sanitation and WASH.

It is organized by the FICCI in collaboration with the India Sanitation Coalition.

The awards aim to:

• Recognize impactful sanitation initiatives
• Promote innovation and scalable solutions
• Encourage cross-sector collaboration
• Strengthen sanitation financing and infrastructure

Key Focus Areas

The awards cover a broad range of themes within the sanitation ecosystem:

1. Promoting Best Practices

• Adoption of effective sanitation models
• Replicable and scalable solutions

2. Innovation in WASH

• New technologies in sanitation systems
• Digital and decentralized sanitation solutions

3. Waste Management and Recycling

• Plastic waste reduction and recycling
• Circular economy approaches

4. Water and Hygiene Services

• Safe drinking water access
• Hygiene behavior change initiatives

5. Strengthening Financing

• Innovative funding models
• Public-private partnerships

6. Alignment with National Missions

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
• Atmanirbhar Bharat
• Har Ghar Jal

Why It Matters

Sanitation is directly linked to public health, environmental sustainability, and economic productivity.

The ISC-FICCI Awards play a critical role by:

• Increasing visibility for high-impact solutions
• Encouraging innovation in underserved areas
• Supporting national sanitation goals
• Enabling partnerships between government, corporates, and NGOs
• Driving investment into scalable sanitation systems

The programme contributes to building a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable society.

Who is Eligible?

The awards recognize a wide range of stakeholders working in sanitation and WASH:

• Corporate organizations (CSR initiatives)
• Non-profit and civil society organizations
• Government institutions and urban local bodies
• Startups and innovators
• Grassroots and community-based organizations

Award Categories and Themes

The awards follow a comprehensive sanitation value chain approach, ensuring end-to-end impact.

Key thematic categories include:

• BUILD – Infrastructure development
• USE – Adoption and behavior change
• MAINTAIN – Operations and sustainability
• TREAT – Waste treatment systems
• REUSE – Resource recovery
• RECYCLE – Waste and plastic recycling
• WATER – Water access and management

These categories ensure holistic coverage of sanitation challenges and solutions.

How the Awards Work

Step-by-Step Process

1. Application Submission
   • Eligible entities submit their projects or initiatives
2. Evaluation
   • Entries are assessed based on impact, innovation, scalability, and sustainability
3. Jury Review
   • Expert panels evaluate shortlisted entries
4. Final Selection
   • Winners are chosen across multiple categories
5. Recognition
   • Winners receive national recognition and visibility

Key Benefits for Participants

• National-level recognition
• Increased credibility and trust
• Opportunities for partnerships and funding
• Enhanced visibility among policymakers and investors
• Platform to scale impactful solutions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete or unclear applications
• Failing to demonstrate measurable impact
• Lack of scalability or sustainability in the solution
• Weak documentation or evidence
• Not aligning with WASH or national mission priorities

Tips for Strong Applications

• Clearly define the problem and solution
• Provide data-driven impact metrics
• Highlight innovation and uniqueness
• Demonstrate scalability potential
• Align with national priorities and SDGs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2026?

It is a national awards programme recognizing excellence and innovation in India’s sanitation and WASH sector.

2. Who organizes the awards?

The awards are organized by FICCI in partnership with the India Sanitation Coalition, with support from government ministries.

3. What sectors are covered?

The awards cover sanitation, water, hygiene, waste management, and recycling.

4. Who can apply?

Corporates, NGOs, government bodies, startups, and grassroots organizations are eligible.

5. What makes a strong application?

Strong applications show measurable impact, innovation, scalability, and alignment with national missions.

6. Are the awards government-supported?

Yes, they are supported by ministries such as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

7. Why is the 2026 edition important?

It marks the 10th anniversary of the awards, celebrating a decade of sanitation impact and progress.

Conclusion

The ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards 2026 is more than a recognition programme—it is a national platform driving innovation, collaboration, and impact in the WASH sector.

By celebrating scalable solutions and aligning with key national missions, the awards continue to accelerate India’s journey toward sustainable sanitation, improved public health, and the vision of a developed nation.