'31 Sewer And Septic Tank Cleaning Deaths Reported In 2026, Compensation Fully Paid In Only 9 Cases': NCSK Data

As per the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) data, 31 people died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in India during 2026, but compensation was paid in full for just nine cases. Haryana experienced the highest number of deaths this year with eight fatalities, while Maharashtra and Delhi each reported six. Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan each recorded two deaths.

In 2025, 51 deaths were reported, with compensation paid in full for 28 of them. Uttar Pradesh led the fatalities in 2025 with ten deaths, followed by Haryana and Delhi with seven each. In 2024, 54 deaths were recorded, and compensation was fully provided for 43 cases.

Between 2016 and 2026, 773 deaths were recorded in total, with compensation paid for 677 cases. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra had the highest number of deaths during this period, each with 100 fatalities, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 98, Gujarat with 86, and Haryana with 85.

2019 saw the highest annual death toll, with 131 fatalities. The figures come from various sources, including district and police authorities, state governments, government departments, media reports, Safai Karamchari organizations, civil society groups, and individuals. However, the commission has no statutory obligation to maintain a comprehensive database of such deaths and does not operate a dedicated online portal for record-keeping.