The MoHUA created the Star Rating Protocol in 2018 to institutionalize a process for cities to obtain Garbage Free designation and to encourage cities to reach better levels of sustainable sanitation. Nearly half of all ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) (2,238 towns) engaged in the recently completed Garbage Free Cities certification program, with a total of 299 cities being certified. 9 cities have received 5-star ratings, 143 have received 3-star ratings, and 147 have received 1-star ratings.

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 was started in October 2021 to develop 'Garbage Free Cities' (GFC), putting India on a new growth curve toward an ecology of holistic sanitation services. It is one of the efforts aimed at making the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) a success. The Star Rating is backed up by self-assessment and self-verification to get a certain star rating. It also ensures the participation of citizen groups to create a fair system of self-declaration.