Published: 17 February 2026Environment
India's Waste-to-Wealth Mission Reaches 50% Districts; 979 Biogas Plants Under GOBARdhan
India's circular economy in agriculture initiative has expanded to cover 50% of districts, with 979 operational biogas plants under the GOBARdhan scheme as of January 2026. India generates approximately 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually, and the programme focuses on converting crop residues and animal manure into bio-CNG and compost.
Agricultural residues can generate over 18,000 MW of power. The initiative addresses climate mitigation through methane capture, restores soil health by reducing chemical fertilizer dependency, and generates new income streams for farmers. The programme aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and is projected to create 10 million jobs by 2050. Rajasthan's western districts have particularly benefited from bio-CNG plants using mustard crop residue.
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Around early 2026, Indian Railways had achieved what percentage of broad-gauge electrification?
Explanation · Correct answer CReports in early 2026 put Indian Railways' broad-gauge electrification at about 99.4%, with 69,744 route km electrified out of 70,117 route km. That makes 99.4% the best answer.
Frequently asked questions
What milestone did **India's Waste-to-Wealth Mission** achieve in 2026?
India's **Waste-to-Wealth Mission** reached **50% of districts** with active biogas and waste processing infrastructure, with **979 biogas plants** operational under the **GOBARdhan scheme**.
What is **GOBARdhan** and how does it relate to **Waste-to-Wealth Mission**?
**GOBARdhan** (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) is a scheme to convert cattle dung and organic waste into **biogas and biofertiliser**, forming a key pillar of the **Waste-to-Wealth Mission**.
How many **biogas plants** are operational under **GOBARdhan** as of 2026?
As of February 2026, **979 biogas plants** are operational under **GOBARdhan**, processing organic and agricultural waste into renewable energy and biofertiliser across India.
What percentage of India's districts are covered under the **Waste-to-Wealth Mission**?
The **Waste-to-Wealth Mission** has reached **50% of India's districts** in 2026, with biogas plants, compost units, and waste-to-energy facilities established across half the country.
How does the **Waste-to-Wealth Mission** support India's **circular economy** goals?
By converting waste into biogas, compost, and energy, the **Waste-to-Wealth Mission** reduces landfill burden, cuts methane emissions, and creates economic value from organic waste — a core **circular economy** principle.
