SASCI Iconic Tourist Centres — citizen guide (2026)

Quick answer. SASCI stands for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment — a scheme of the Department of Expenditure (DoE), Ministry of Finance under which State Governments receive 50-year interest-free loans for capital infrastructure. Part III of SASCI specifically funds the development of Iconic Tourist Centres of global scale — high-profile destinations with strong international visibility potential, typically anchored on UNESCO heritage / iconic monuments / globally-marketable cultural or eco assets. The DoE issued operational guidelines in August 2024, and the Ministry of Tourism coordinates the project shortlisting in consultation with State Governments. SASCI is distinct from the Ministry of Tourism's own schemes (Swadesh Darshan 2.0, CBDD, PM-JUGA, PRASHAD): the funding is a long-term loan to the State (principal repayable over 50 years, no interest charged) rather than a Central Financial Assistance grant. The State services the principal; the Centre absorbs the interest cost. SASCI projects typically require larger ticket sizes than regular SD 2.0 — they are designed for the global-tourist segment. For citizens, SASCI sanctions are public records under Section 4(1)(b)(xii) RTI Act, 2005.

The grant-vs-loan distinction matters: SASCI projects ask the State to commit to long-tail repayment, so destinations selected are those where global visitor revenue can support the long-term loan-servicing economics — typically iconic centres with international name-recognition.

A SASCI Iconic Tourist Centre project usually combines:

• Hero infrastructure — a flagship build (museum, themed plaza, light-and-sound show, themed park, water-edge promenade).
• Visitor-arrival experience — large-format arrival centre, multilingual interpretation, ticketing + queue management at scale.
• Heritage coordination — where the destination has ASI / state-protected monuments, restoration coordination + façade management.
• Sustainability layer — STPs, solid-waste management, plastic-free zones, energy-efficient lighting.
• Mobility integration — last-mile EVs, parking plazas separated from heritage core, walkability + accessibility.
• Digital + smart layer — AR/VR experiences, multilingual app, digital signage, Wi-Fi zones.
• Local-economy integration — artisan / craft showcases, local-cuisine clusters, performance venues.
• Branding + global marketing — explicit budget for international marketing through Incredible India + diplomatic missions.

The mix per project depends on the DPR prepared by the State and approved by DoE in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism.

1. State Government identifies an Iconic Tourist Centre candidate based on destination's existing infrastructure + global potential.
2. DPR preparation by the State Tourism Development Corporation or empanelled consultant.
3. State submits to the Ministry of Tourism, which evaluates in coordination with DoE.
4. Shortlisting through DoE-led prioritisation jointly with the Ministry of Tourism.
5. Sanction order issues from DoE; loan terms (50-year, interest-free, milestone-linked) crystallise.
6. State Tourism Development Corporation (or equivalent State agency) executes via tender.
7. Quarterly progress reports to DoE + Ministry of Tourism.
8. Branding + marketing runs in parallel with Incredible India.
9. Loan servicing by State commences as per repayment schedule.

Each step generates documents that are public records under §4(1)(b)(xii) RTI Act.

• PIO, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance — SASCI Part III operational guidelines, list of shortlisted Iconic Tourist Centres, loan-disbursement schedule.
• PIO, Ministry of Tourism — coordination role, joint shortlisting minutes, branding + marketing plans.
• PIO, State Tourism Department — DPRs, completion certificates, tender records, contractor details, branding-spend allocation.
• PIO, State Tourism Development Corporation — execution-stage records.
• PIO, local body / municipal corporation — O&M arrangement post-completion.

If a SASCI sanction is on file in your district but progress is invisible, file an RTI to the State Tourism PIO + DoE PIO asking for the last quarterly progress report + CSMC / DoE observations + revised milestone schedule.

→ Use AI RTI Drafter for the letter.

Operational guidelines issued in August 2024 by the Department of Expenditure.

A 50-year interest-free loan to the State Government. Principal is repayable over 50 years; the Centre absorbs the interest cost.

The loan structure aligns the State's economic interest with the long-term success of the destination — the State has a stake in the destination's revenue performance over the long horizon.

Department of Expenditure in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments.

In principle, yes — they are different funding streams with different scopes. But each project has its own DPR + sanction; double-funding the same component is barred by scheme conditions.

SASCI funds tourism-related Iconic Tourist Centres. Bharatmala is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' national-highway corridor scheme. Both are loan / capital-investment frameworks but for different sectors.

Yes under §4(1)(b)(xii) and §6(1) RTI Act. Sanction orders, DPRs, tender records, completion certificates are disclosable.

Through fresh State proposals and DoE evaluation in subsequent cycles. SASCI is not a one-time set; the pipeline can refresh.

No — SASCI is capital investment. O&M is the State's responsibility post-completion.

• Homestay India 2026 — legal + business pillar guide
• UDAN regional connectivity scheme — affordable air travel for tier-2/3 cities
• Swadesh Darshan India 2026 — pillar guide
• Swadesh Darshan 1.0
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0 sustainable destinations
• CBDD
• PM-JUGA tribal homestays
• PRASHAD pilgrimage scheme
• How citizens use RTI to track these schemes
• Eco-tourism in the Western Ghats

• Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance — SASCI guidelines (August 2024)
• The Right to Information Act, 2005 — §§4(1)(b)(xii), 6(1)

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Last reviewed: 4 May 2026 — RTI Wiki editorial team. Citizen-information piece based on publicly published scheme guidelines.