NEW DELHI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- India onThursday began a country-wide cleanliness survey "Swachh Survekshan," officials said.

The survey would be conducted in over 4,000 cities and with the population of more than 400 million people.

"The aim of survey is to evaluate achievements in the cleanliness level in urban areas," an urban development ministry official said.

The survey will run until March 10 of this year.

During the survey the officials would assess parameters like management to curb open defecation, transportation facilities to collect garbage, scientific ways of processing the waste, etc.

In the recent monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat (straight talk from heart), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged the youth to come forward and contribute to the survey so that their cities do not lag behind in survey rankings.

The survey encourages a healthy contest between Indian cities for improving cleanliness standards.

Last year the survey ranked 500 cities of India.

Indian government is aggressively campaigning for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Movement) to make an effort to see entire country green and clean.

The campaign kickstarted after Modi became the prime minister of country in 2014.