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With a steady performance in various global indices to outstanding performance in Global Innovation Index 2022, India is surely carving out a path-breaking development story. India remains a frontrunner in implementing ace economic practices and showcasing corporate governance across various ministries.

However, amidst a changing world economic paradigm and climate change situation, one of the most critical targets ahead of us pertains to the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is also often reiterated through multilateral conclaves and forum discussions that without SDG preparedness, the vision of a developed nation cannot be fully attained.

In an attempt to address the slipping rankings in the most critical SDGs, the government has recently done adequate budgetary allocations and one of the sectors seeing this significant push is Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) under SDG-6.  The outset of the global pandemic to has necessitated the importance of hygiene and the role of water as a prerequisite to ‘good health’. With growing awareness and national importance through programs like Jal Jeevan Mission, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Namami Gange, etc., improved service delivery is also being ensured in areas like – regulated piped water supply, household connections, wastewater treatment, water quality testing and rejuvenation/cleanliness of water resources. The successful country-wide implementation of SBM to eradicate age-old Open Defecation practice (ODF) stands as a testament to these government interventions for meeting SDG targets.

Yet there remains immense scope to innovate in this sector with a desperate need for technology usage to address urban-rural water and sanitation-related challenges. Therefore, in a quest to aid this sector through entrepreneurial insights, startups are actively working towards creating viable solutions for different geographies and cities in India.

Currently, Startups working in the WASH Sector are grouped in the Waste Management category, which includes about 1411 startups recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of 10th April 2023. These startups are spread across 28 States and Union Territories and across 230 districts in India. Moreover, 54% of these are from Tier 2/Tier 3 non-metro cities. The highest number of Startups in this sector have been recognized in Maharashtra (19%), Delhi (11%), Uttar Pradesh (8%), Karnataka (9%), and Gujarat (10%). Some of the startups that have made a remarkable presence in this sector are: