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Current Affairs

Ministry of Steel Launches Special Campaign 6.0 with Focus on E-Waste Management (October 2026)

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The Ministry of Steel along with its Public Sector Undertakings will conduct Special Campaign 6.0 from 2 October to 31 October 2026, emphasizing effective collection, segregation, and environmentally sound disposal of electronic waste (e-waste). The campaign includes a preparatory phase from 15 September to 30 September 2026 and covers mechanised cleaning, disposal of pending references, and public awareness. This initiative builds on previous campaigns and aligns with the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 that came into effect from 1 April 2023.

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Key Facts

  • Special Campaign 6.0 will be conducted by the Ministry of Steel and its Public Sector Undertakings from 2 October to 31 October 2026.
  • A preparatory phase runs from 15 September to 30 September 2026 for target setting and groundwork.
  • The main focus is on effective collection, segregation, and environmentally sound disposal of e-waste, including items like computers, mobile phones, televisions, printers, and circuit boards.
  • The campaign also covers mechanised cleaning, disposal of pending official references, clearing old records, and public awareness activities.
  • Special Campaign 6.0 follows Special Campaign 5.0 which ran from October 2025 to August 2026, during which over 83.92 lakh square feet area was cleaned and around 15,585 metric tonnes of scrap were disposed. Revenue of ₹55.29 crore was generated during that period.
  • The campaign is implemented in line with the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, effective from 1 April 2023.
  • Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited operating in Jharkhand and West Bengal, launched the campaign at its headquarters in West Bengal on 4 September 2026, integrating e-waste management in its operations.

Background & Context

E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams globally due to rapid technological change and increased use of electronic devices. India addresses this challenge through the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which supersede the 2016 Rules and strengthen the legal framework for collection, recycling, and environmentally sound disposal of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment. The Rules introduce an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime requiring manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, dismantlers, and recyclers to register and comply with targets.

The Ministry of Steel’s Special Campaigns are annual drives aimed at improving cleanliness, sustainability, and administrative efficiency within the ministry and its Public Sector Undertakings. The campaigns also help in resolving pending work and clearing obsolete records, which enhances governance and public service delivery.

Why This Matters for Exams

This campaign reflects the government's ongoing efforts to manage e-waste responsibly and sustain environmental sanitation within public sector organisations. Understanding Special Campaign 6.0 provides insights into India’s e-waste governance framework, the role of central ministries in environmental management, and the operationalisation of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. The campaign’s details, objectives, and implementation help students prepare for questions related to environmental policies, public sector initiatives, and recent government campaigns in competitive exams.

Points to Remember

  • Special Campaigns by Union ministries and PSUs are annual initiatives for cleanliness, administrative efficiency, and public awareness.
  • E-waste includes discarded electrical and electronic equipment such as computers, mobile phones, TVs, printers, and circuit boards.
  • The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, effective from 1 April 2023, provide the current legal framework governing e-waste in India.
  • Responsibilities under the Rules involve manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, dismantlers, and recyclers, ensuring environmentally sound processing.
  • Special Campaign 5.0 (Oct 2025-Aug 2026) achieved measurable outcomes in cleanliness and scrap disposal, strengthening groundwork for Campaign 6.0.
  • Eastern Coalfields Limited is a coal-producing PSU operating in Jharkhand and West Bengal, actively participating in the campaign.

Practice MCQs

Question 1

  1. Which ministry launched Special Campaign 6.0 focusing on e-waste management in 2026?
  2. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  3. Ministry of Steel
  4. Ministry of Information Technology
  5. Ministry of Agriculture

Answer: Ministry of Steel

Question 2

  1. What is the duration of the Special Campaign 6.0 carried out in 2026?
  2. 15 September to 30 September 2026
  3. 2 October to 31 October 2026
  4. 1 January to 31 December 2026
  5. 1 November to 30 November 2026

Answer: 2 October to 31 October 2026

Question 3

  1. The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 came into effect from which date?
  2. 1 April 2022
  3. 1 April 2023
  4. 1 January 2023
  5. 1 October 2022

Answer: 1 April 2023

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