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Special Campaign 6: Over 2 Crore Students Collect 58.79 Lakh E-Waste Items Across 2.85 Lakh Schools
New Delhi: Over 2 crore students and teachers from across India’s schools took part in a national level e-waste collection campaign, Special Campaign 6, organized from October 2 to 31, 2026, by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education. The campaign focussed on combining environmental awareness with administrative and cleanliness drive related activities in education departments.
During the campaign, 58.79 lakh e-waste items were collected from 2.85 lakh schools across the country. As many as 2.02 crore students and teachers took part in the initiative. The campaign is a part of the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE and aimed to instill the concepts of responsible waste management and sustainability in the everyday learning of students and the local community.
Ministry of Education on November 6, 2026, publicized the campaign achievements. The campaign staff reported that the removal of obsolete records from various offices contributed to environmental improvements by promoting good office management and the proper use of office space. Furthermore, the disposal of scrap in various offices contributed to improvements in the environment.
Special Campaign 6 2026: Key Details
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Campaign |
Special Campaign 6 |
|
Implementing Department |
Department of School Education and Literacy |
|
Ministry |
Ministry of Education |
|
Campaign Period |
October 2–31, 2026 |
|
E-waste Collection Period |
September 16–October 31, 2026 |
|
Students and Teachers Involved |
2.02 crore |
|
Schools Participating |
2.85 lakh |
|
E-waste Items Collected |
58.79 lakh |
|
Files Reviewed |
41,181 |
|
Files Weeded Out |
31,010 |
|
Office Space Freed |
1,84,828 sq. ft. |
|
Revenue from Scrap Disposal |
₹67.27 lakh |
|
Official Announcement |
November 6, 2026 |
Collection of 58.79 Lakh E-Waste Items Due To School Participation
One of the important outcomes of the campaign was the participation of students in collection of e-waste. Schools from different states and Union Territories motivated students, teachers and the community to identify and collect discarded electronic equipment. In the period from 16th September to 31st October, 2026, approximately 58.79 lakh e-waste items were collected from 2.85 lakh schools.
The aim of the campaign was to make students aware about consequences of incorrect disposal of e-waste and benefits of reusing and repairing electronic products. Further, it aimed to create a sense of responsibility among students to hand over e-waste to authorized recycling facilities.
October Nationwide Drive: 1.89 Lakh Schools Organize E-Waste Quizzes
In October, 2026, was a special day of the campaign when schools across the country organized e-waste quizzes to create awareness about management of e-waste. Around 1.89 lakh schools organized e-waste quizzes during their morning assemblies. These activities sensitized students towards 3 main goals of the campaign which were- Reducing e-waste, extending the life of electronic devices by repair and refurbishing and ensuring environmentally safe e-waste recycling.
Waste to Wonder exhibition: Students developed various equipment and gadgets from discarded electronic waste. These were exhibited during the Waste to Wonder exhibiton in New Delhi.
DoSEL Installs E-Waste Mural at Kartavya Bhavan 2
DoSEL has successfully integrated sustainability into its work by extending its environmental campaign into government office premises.
The campaign appointed an E-waste collection mural and dedicated E-waste collection bins at Kartavya Bhavan 2 in New Delhi on International E-Waste Day, 14 October 2026.
The mural conveyed a message on sustainability by using 60 kg of E-waste collected by school students. It demonstrated how creativity and awareness around E-waste can be incorporated into different materials.
7 Lakh Cleanliness Drive and Major Administrative Reforms
As part of Special Campaign 6, administrative reforms were initiated to eliminate obsolete files and strengthen record management and documentation in the offices of DoSEL and its subordinate organisations. The impacts of this exercise were:
- 41,181 official files were reviewed.
- 31,010 obsolete files were weeded out.
- 1,84,828 square feet of office space was freed up.
- ₹67.27 lakh was earned by the disposal of scrap.
- More than 7 lakh cleanliness campaigns were conducted in schools and offices.
The results of the campaigns led by DoSEL focused on improving the functioning of public institutions and promoting cleaner environments.
6.29 Lakh E-waste Awareness Workshops
Environmental education was given emphasis, and 6.29 lakh e-waste awareness workshops were conducted in schools prior to the campaign.
The campaign strengthened responsible consumption and electronic waste reduction and recycling through activities within Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE. Through workshops, exhibitions, quizzes and competitions, the initiative aimed to nudge school children towards more sustainable living. It motivated educators and encouraged them to incorporate environmental awareness into the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Special Campaign 6 2026?
Special Campaign 6 was a campaign conducted by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education between 2nd-31st October, 2026, as part of their special drive to increase efficiency in administration and improve school enviromental sustainability by focusing on cleanliness and e-waste management.
Q2. How many students and teachers participated in Special Campaign 6?
About 2.02 crore students and teachers across 2.85 lakh schools participated in the e-waste collection drive.
Q3. What is the total number of e-waste collected in Special Campaign 6?
58.79 lakh e-waste items were collected during the preparatory and actual phases between 16th and 31st of September 2026.
Q4. Which ministry conducted Special Campaign 6?
The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), under the Union Ministry of Education, took the lead in organizing the campaign among schools, autonomous bodies and educational stakeholders.
Q5. What was the role of Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE in Special Campaign 6?
Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE organised e-waste collection drives, awareness sessions on e-waste and cleanliness, and other activities to promote sustainable lifestyles.
Q6. What was the participation of schools in e-waste quizzes on 28th October 2026?
About 1.89 lakh schools in the country conducted e-waste quizzes during morning assemblies on 28th October, 2026.
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