Thiruvananthapuram: Within years after achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, Kerala has been accorded the ODF Plus status for making all the villages meet the parameters prescribed by the Swachh Bharat Mission. Along with Kerala, states namely Karnataka and Telangana have also received the ODF Plus status. 

At present, out of 1509 villages that received ODF plus status in the state, 491 are in the aspiring category, 48 are in the rising category and 970 are in the model category. The next target is to achieve the ODF Plus (Model) verified status. 
 
According to percentage data, Kerala has the most number of model villages in the country. The state is now aiming to become the first state in the country to get the plus model status for all villages.