Sulabh International Social Service Organisation

What Sulabh International Social Service Organisation does

Sulabh International Social Service Organisation is a non-profit social service organization founded in 1970 by Dr Bindeshwar Pathak and headquartered in New Delhi, with a registered office in Patna, Bihar. The organization is dedicated to rural and urban sanitation, water access, and the elimination of manual scavenging in India. Its core technical offering is the proprietary Sulabh twin-pit pour-flush toilet system - a low-cost, low-maintenance two-pit sanitation architecture that converts dry pit latrines into hygienic pour-flush facilities, eliminating manual cleaning of human excreta and allowing waste to decompose naturally into safe fertilizer. Complementary products include the Aspirational Toilet (with sensors, touchless taps, and accessibility features), public toilet-linked biogas plants for waste-to-energy conversion, and dedicated school, slum, and household toilet programs. Cumulative infrastructure includes 1.69 million+ household toilets, 10,746+ public toilet complexes, 20,207+ school toilets, and 2,454+ slum community toilets, serving over 20 million people daily.

The organization's business model is that of a CSR- and grant-funded non-profit rather than a commercial enterprise. Revenue streams comprise Corporate Social Responsibility partnerships with Indian corporations, government contracts for sanitation infrastructure construction and maintenance with municipal corporations (MCGM, GVMC), grants and donations from individuals and international organizations, and modest fee-for-service from the Nai Disha vocational training programme (beautician training, food processing, sewing, embroidery) rehabilitating liberated manual scavengers. Core sanitation services are provided free or at nominal user fees. The organization operates a portfolio of wholly-owned sub-brands - Sulabh International School of Action Sociology and Sociology of Sanitation (with an Africa branch), Sulabh International Museum of Toilets (Time Magazine top-10 museums), Sulabh MHM (menstrual hygiene management), Sulabh Public School, Sulabh Academy, and the Nai Disha program - supported by 10,000+ employees and 12,099+ trained women volunteers. It holds General Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council and operates programs across India and South Africa.

Name

Sulabh International Social Service Organisation

Legal name

Sulabh International Social Service Organisation

Website

https://sulabhinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Sulabh International Social Service Organisation is a New Delhi-based non-profit founded in 1970 that builds low-cost sanitation infrastructure in India, rehabilitates manual scavengers through vocational training, and serves over 20 million people daily via proprietary twin-pit pour-flush toilet technology and CSR-funded programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Sanitation Services

NAICS

Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Waste Treatment and Disposal (56221), Janitorial Services (561720)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Septage Receiving, Treatment & Disposal (BPALAMAE), Portable Toilet Rental & Servicing (BPALAMAF), Waste Management & Smart Sanitation (Facilities) (HSAPAPAM)

Keywords

• Sanitation services
• Public toilet infrastructure
• Manual scavenging rehabilitation
• Vocational training programs
• Waste management solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. CSR and Government Partnerships: Sulabh generates operational funding through Corporate Social Responsibility partnerships with Indian corporations and government contracts for sanitation infrastructure development and maintenance. The organization collaborates with municipal corporations to build and operate public toilet complexes.
2. Donations and Grants: Funding from individual donors, international organizations, and foundations supporting social reform, sanitation advocacy, and manual scavenger rehabilitation programs.
3. Skill Development and Training Programs: Vocational training programs (Nai Disha) provide skills in beautician training, food processing, sewing, and embroidery to rehabilitated manual scavengers, generating some revenue while supporting social empowerment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Sulabh International builds and operates sanitation infrastructure including household toilets, public toilet complexes, and school toilets using its proprietary twin-pit pour-flush technology, while also converting human waste to biogas through linked biogas plants. The organization rehabilitates liberated manual scavengers through vocational training (Nai Disha program), operates the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, runs menstrual hygiene management programs, and delivers environmental sustainability and food sovereignty projects across India.

Product overview

Sulabh International Social Service Organisation operates as a non-profit social service organization focused on sanitation, social reform, and human dignity. Its core offerings center on sanitation infrastructure products (Sulabh Twin-Pit Pour-Flush Toilet technology, public toilet complexes, household toilets, school toilets, slum community toilets, and the Aspirational Toilet) complemented by biogas technology for waste-to-energy conversion. The organization extends its impact through rehabilitation services including the Nai Disha Vocational Training Centre for manual scavengers, educational institutions (Sulabh International School of Action Sociology and Sociology of Sanitation, Sulabh Public School, Sulabh Academy, and its Africa branch), and environmental initiatives like the Shikhar Se Sagar Tak project. Additional offerings include menstrual hygiene management programs, food sovereignty projects, and the internationally recognized Sulabh International Museum of Toilets. The organization holds General Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sulabh International School of Action Sociology and Sociology of Sanitation: Academic institution dedicated to the study and research of sanitation from a sociological perspective
• Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
• Sulabh MHM
• Sulabh Public School
• Sulabh Academy
• Nai Disha
• Shikhar Se Sagar Tak
• Toilet Tales Gallery

Products and services

• Sulabh Twin-Pit Pour-Flush Toilet
• Public Toilet Complexes
• Aspirational Toilet
• Public Toilet Linked Biogas Plant
• Household Toilets
• School Toilets
• Slum Community Toilets
• Nai Disha Vocational Training Centre
• Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
• Sulabh MHM (Menstrual Hygiene Management)
• Food Sovereignty Project
• Waste Optimisation Professional and Capacity Building Training Programme
• Sulabh International School of Action Sociology and Sociology of Sanitation
• Sulabh International School of Action Sociology and Sociology of Sanitation Africa
• Sulabh Public School
• Sulabh Academy
• Shikhar Se Sagar Tak (From Peaks to Shores)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200,000 manual scavengers liberated and rehabilitated into mainstream society since 1970
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Loomba FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Partnership with The Loomba Foundation for commemoration of UN International Widows Day, focusing on justice, dignity, and empowerment of widowed women. The foundation contributed documentary content showcasing global efforts for widows' rights and UN recognition of International Widows Day.
• CII FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Collaboration on UN International Widows Day event with focus on shifting from charity-based approaches to rights-based frameworks for widowed women. CII National Committee on CSR Chair participated with commitment to economic independence frameworks.
• British CouncilminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Partnership for UN International Widows Day event with British Council's Regional Director delivering welcome address highlighting transformative role of education and lifelong learning for marginalized women.
• Sankalp SmarakminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Co-organizer of UN International Widows Day commemoration event focused on rights and empowerment of widowed women.
• Indian ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Participation in UN International Widows Day with focus on welfare initiatives for widows of fallen soldiers. Lt Gen Ranjeet Singh highlighted Army's comprehensive welfare programs and commitment to dignity and support for soldiers' families.
• Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 26 March 2026Collaboration on Swachhta Awareness and Beach Cleaning Drive at Worli Beach. MCGM provided operational support including waste collection, transportation, and coordination for the environmental initiative under Project Shikhar Se Sagar Tak.
• Azim Premji FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership to strengthen the Food Sovereignty Project in Bihar in 2026, enhancing resilience and income security among grassroots women farmers. Focus on indigenous seeds, agronomic support via KVKs, and market linkages.
• Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 December 2025Partnership for cleanliness and awareness drive at RK Beach, Visakhapatnam. GVMC collaborated on two-day beach cleaning initiative as part of Sulabh's nationwide Shikhar Se Sagar Tak environmental program.
• World Toilet OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-host of World Toilet Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together international sanitation experts and advocates. Sulabh International serves as the Indian host organization for this global sanitation advocacy platform.
• KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgronomic support partners in Bihar Food Sovereignty Project providing technical agricultural guidance to 476 farmers cultivating millet, makhana, rice, and aquaculture products.
• NCC CadetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth volunteer mobilization for sanitation and environmental campaigns including beach cleaning drives and Swachhta awareness programs.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BRAC: One of the world's largest development NGOs, with significant WASH, sanitation and livelihoods programmes across South Asia and Africa. Comparable as a large, diversified Indian-region NGO operating in sanitation, social empowerment and skills training.

Direct peers

• WaterAid: Global WASH NGO with a long-standing India country programme that builds toilets, advocates for sanitation policy, and partners with government on hygiene behaviour change — directly comparable to Sulabh's sanitation-plus-advocacy model.
• World Toilet Organization: Singapore-headquartered global sanitation advocacy NGO that co-hosted the World Toilet Summit 2025 with Sulabh in New Delhi. Highly comparable as a WASH-focused nonprofit operating internationally to advance safe sanitation access.
• Water.org: Global non-profit that finances and catalyses household water and sanitation solutions, including in India, through microfinance and partnerships. Comparable to Sulabh in scale of ambition and WASH-focused funding model.
• Gram Vikas: Odisha-based rural WASH non-profit that builds household and school toilets and works on community-managed water and sanitation systems in Indian villages. Comparable as an Indian NGO focused on rural sanitation infrastructure delivery.
• Water for People: International WASH non-profit working with local partners on long-term sustainable water and sanitation services in developing countries, including India. Comparable funding model and sector focus on permanent sanitation infrastructure.
• Safai Karamchari Andolan: National grassroots movement in India working for the elimination of manual scavenging and rehabilitation of Dalit sanitation workers. Comparable to Sulabh on the social-reform and advocacy side of the same agenda.
• Jan Sahas Social Development Society: Indian non-profit focused on the liberation and rehabilitation of manual scavengers and prevention of caste-based bonded labour. Closest peer to Sulabh's Nai Disha rehabilitation arm in terms of beneficiary population and rights-based approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SulabhIntl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCISywnQyfkjVlypXz8TK4Lg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SulabhInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sulabh-international-social-service-organisation-sisso
• Instagraminstagram.com/sulabh.international.official?igsh=d3RmMjZpdTY4NGJ5

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sulabh International Social Service Organisation