27th Edition of Secretariat Reforms Monthly Report Highlights Government Efficiency, Swachhata & Digital Transformation

PIB:- Published on 23 FEB 2026

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, released the 27th edition of its Secretariat Reforms Monthly Report for January 2026. The report showcases major developments across central government offices aimed at improving governance, administrative efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric services.

By focusing on initiatives such as Swachhata campaigns, e-Office implementation, waste-to-wealth practices, and improved decision-making processes, the report reflects the government’s ongoing efforts toward modernizing bureaucracy and promoting sustainable, technology-driven administration.

Swachhata and Reduction in Pendency: Transforming Office Workspaces

One of the major highlights of the January 2026 report is the continuation and impact of the Swachhata and Pendency Reduction initiatives. These programs have been implemented across central government offices to free office space, dispose of outdated records, and enhance administrative efficiency.

In January 2026, cleanliness drives were successfully conducted at 5,188 offices nationwide, freeing approximately 4.34 lakh sq. ft. of office space. The Ministry of Coal led the contributors with 1,88,687 sq. ft., followed by the Ministry of Heavy Industries with 62,129 sq. ft. These drives not only cleared physical clutter but also improved the work environment, making offices more functional and citizen-friendly.

Record management has been a key aspect of this initiative. Around 1,82,000 physical files were reviewed, of which 81,322 files were weeded out under the campaign. This effort has streamlined administrative workflows, reduced redundancy, and ensured that decision-making can be conducted efficiently without the delays caused by outdated or unnecessary documentation.

A total of 5,57,852 public grievances were resolved during the month, which accounts for 90.41% of total grievances received, along with disposal of 1,032 MP references and 375 state government references. This demonstrates a focused approach toward responsive governance, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing citizen concerns promptly.

Revenue from Scrap Disposal: Waste-to-Wealth Initiatives

The report also emphasizes the government’s effort to generate revenue through scrap disposal, reflecting a sustainable and economically productive approach to office waste.

• Since 2021, the government has earned a cumulative ₹4,405.28 crore from scrap sale under the Swachhata campaign. During the period of December 2025 to January 2026, revenue of ₹200.21 crore was generated through scrap disposal.
• Ministries like the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Coal, and Ministry of Heavy Industry contributed significantly to these figures, reflecting their proactive participation in the campaign. Revenue generated through these initiatives is not only an economic gain but also promotes environmentally responsible practices, ensuring that scrap materials are recycled or reused instead of being discarded wastefully.
• In addition to revenue, several ministries have adopted innovative “Waste to Wealth” For instance, waste packing material has been transformed into benches at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, while the Ministry of Railways has conducted creative “Waste to Art” installations. These initiatives not only enhance the aesthetics and functionality of office spaces but also set an example for sustainable resource utilization across government offices.

Increasing Efficiency in Decision-Making

The report highlights substantial improvements in decision-making efficiency across ministries and departments. One of the core measures implemented is delayering, which reduces bureaucratic red tape by decreasing the number of layers a file passes through before finalization.

• The average distinct transaction levels for active files decreased from 19 in 2021 to 4.31 as of January 2026, reflecting faster decision-making processes and reduced procedural delays.
• The disposal of grievances, reduction in pendency, and improved record management collectively indicate that decision-making efficiency has become a central goal of Secretariat Reforms. Ministries are now able to respond more swiftly to citizen requests and internal administrative requirements.

Digital Transformation: e-Office Implementation and Analytics

A major aspect of the Secretariat Reforms initiative is the implementation of e-Office, a digital workflow system designed to streamline file movements, automate processes, and enhance transparency.

• In January 2026, 93.81% of total files created were e-Files, while 95.29% of receipts received were e-Receipts, reflecting a near-complete digital transition in administrative communication and file management.
• 65 ministries and departments achieved at least 90% adoption of e-Files, while 15 ministries/departments achieved 100% e-Receipt adoption. Such high levels of digital adoption underscore the government’s commitment to paperless, efficient, and transparent administrative practices.
• Inter-ministerial file movements were limited to 4,752 files in January 2026, indicating that workflow streamlining and process standardization have reduced unnecessary physical file transfers and improved administrative coordination.
• e-Office implementation not only speeds up internal processes but also enables better record-keeping, data analytics, and accountability, aligning with global best practices for modern governance.

Focus on Citizen-Centric Governance

Beyond administrative efficiency, the report emphasizes initiatives that directly impact citizen experience and public service delivery.

• By reducing file pendency and increasing digital adoption, citizens benefit from faster grievance redressal, timely responses, and greater transparency in government functioning.
• The disposal of over 5.5 lakh public grievances and MP/state references illustrates the government’s active engagement with citizens, ensuring that concerns are not only received but also resolved effectively and efficiently.

These measures reflect the broader commitment to responsiveness and accountability in governance, core principles of a citizen-focused administration.

Best Practices: Innovations in Sustainability and Efficiency

The report highlights several best practices adopted by ministries, especially under the “Waste to Wealth” initiative.

• Furniture and art creation from scrap in various ministries demonstrates that administrative reforms are not limited to governance procedures but also include environmental responsibility, sustainability, and creative reuse of resources.
• Such initiatives not only enhance operational efficiency but also foster innovation, employee engagement, and morale, turning routine administrative tasks into opportunities for sustainability and productivity.
• For example, the Department of Atomic Energy and National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore have set an example by converting discarded materials into functional furniture, while the Ministry of Railways showcased creative waste-to-art installations.

Revenue Analytics and Financial Impact

The monthly report also presents a detailed financial analysis of revenue generated from the Swachhata campaign and scrap disposal.

• The cumulative ₹4,405.28 crore earned highlights the economic potential of waste management and record disposal initiatives.
• Revenue generation from administrative reforms ensures that programs are self-sustaining and can be reinvested into improving office infrastructure and citizen services.

Strengthening e-Governance and Administrative Analytics

The report highlights how e-Office adoption and digital analytics have transformed traditional governance.

• Digitalization ensures real-time monitoring, automated workflow, and transparency in administrative processes.
• Streamlined inter-ministerial file movements reduce bureaucratic delays, while analytics provide insights into performance, pendency, and efficiency levels.
• Delayering initiatives and digital adoption collectively enable faster approvals, better coordination, and data-driven decision-making.

Alignment with Government’s Vision for Administrative Excellence

The initiatives highlighted in the report reflect a broader vision of administrative excellence.

• Focus on Swachhata, digitization, efficiency, and citizen-centric governance aligns with the government’s mission to modernize bureaucracy, reduce corruption, and increase accountability.
• By improving administrative processes and embracing sustainability, the government is setting an example for global best practices in public administration.
• These reforms demonstrate a comprehensive approach where operational efficiency, environmental responsibility, and digital governance are integrated for long-term impact.

Key Takeaways

The 27th edition of the Secretariat Reforms Monthly Report for January 2026 is significant for several reasons:

• It underscores Swachhata and efficient record management as foundational steps toward transparent governance.
• It highlights revenue generation through scrap disposal, promoting sustainable and economically productive practices.
• Digitalization and e-Office adoption demonstrate a commitment to technology-driven efficiency and paperless administration.
• Improved decision-making efficiency, with reduced file transaction layers, ensures faster service delivery to citizens.
• Citizen-centric measures, including grievance redressal and MP/state reference disposal, reflect accountable governance.
• Waste-to-wealth and sustainability initiatives illustrate creative use of resources and environmentally responsible practices.