CBDD — Challenge Based Destination Development citizen guide

Quick answer. Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) is a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, announced in the Union Budget 2023–24, under which the Ministry of Tourism shortlists destinations through a competitive challenge mechanism rather than a State-volume-based proposal queue. Each State submits themed destination proposals; the Ministry evaluates against scheme objectives — transforming tourist destinations into sustainable + responsible destinations, providing end-to-end visitor experience, and strategic alignment with India's tourism priorities. Sanctioned themes typically include Culture & Heritage, Spiritual Tourism, Ecotourism / Amrit Dharohar Sites. The CBDD model differs from regular SD 2.0 in that it funds the full destination experience — not just one component — at a single chosen destination per sanction. CBDD complements PRASHAD (pilgrimage-specific), regular SD 2.0 (Top-10 SPP destinations), PM-JUGA tribal homestays, and SASCI iconic tourist centres. Every CBDD sanction is a public record under Section 4(1)(b)(xii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. This page explains the model, the difference between CBDD and the broader SD 2.0, and the citizen-RTI angles to track CBDD projects in your state.

CBDD is designed for destinations where the whole visitor journey — arrival, mobility, accommodation, interpretation, experience, departure — needs to be uplifted as one coordinated investment.

• Culture & Heritage — heritage cities, monument-anchored destinations.
• Spiritual Tourism — temple towns, dargahs, gurudwaras, monasteries (distinct from PRASHAD which is purely pilgrimage-amenity-focused; CBDD spiritual covers the broader visitor journey at the spiritual destination).
• Ecotourism / Amrit Dharohar Sites — designated wetlands and biodiversity-conservation sites under the Amrit Dharohar initiative.

The themes evolve cycle-by-cycle as the Ministry refines the challenge framework.

A CBDD-sanctioned project bundles the end-to-end visitor experience:

• Arrival infrastructure — pilgrim / visitor arrival centre, parking, signage, information desk.
• Mobility within the destination — last-mile electric vehicles, walkways, e-bikes, dispersal infrastructure.
• Interpretation + content — visitor information centres, AR/VR experience zones, multilingual audio guides.
• Heritage / asset upgradation — façade lighting, restoration coordination with ASI / state heritage department.
• Local-economy integration — artisan / craft markets, local-food showcases, cultural-performance spaces.
• Sustainability layer — waste segregation, eco-friendly mobility, plastic-free zones, carrying-capacity-based visitor caps.
• Digital-and-smart layer — visitor-management apps, digital signage, Wi-Fi zones.

• PIO, Ministry of Tourism — challenge-cycle guidelines, list of shortlisted destinations, sanction orders.
• PIO, State Tourism Department — themed proposals submitted in the last 12 months, status of each.
• PIO, State Tourism Development Corporation — DPR, tender, contractor, completion certificates.
• PIO, local body — O&M arrangement at destination + visitor footfall data.

If a CBDD sanction is on file but visible work hasn't commenced after 6 months, file an RTI to the State Tourism PIO asking for the last quarterly progress report + CSMC observations on delay + revised timeline.

→ Use the AI RTI Drafter for the letter.

Sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0. Different operational framework, but under the SD 2.0 umbrella.

Union Budget 2023–24. Operational guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism subsequently.

Ministry of Tourism through a competitive evaluation of state-themed proposals. Selection criteria are published per challenge cycle.

Component mix varies; sanctioned amounts have ranged through tens of crores per destination depending on scope. Specific cost figures live in each sanction order.

Through the State Government. CBDD operates State-Centre, not District-Centre.

PRASHAD is purely pilgrimage / spiritual heritage civic infrastructure (queue, conveniences, ghat). CBDD in the spiritual-tourism category covers the broader visitor experience at a spiritual destination beyond just amenities.

Per cycle, yes. Each challenge round defines its themes. Outside the round, regular SD 2.0 SPP applies.

• 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
• PM-JUGA tribal homestays
• PRASHAD pilgrimage scheme
• SASCI iconic tourist centres
• How citizens use RTI to track these schemes
• Eco-tourism in the Western Ghats

• Union Budget 2023–24 — CBDD announcement
• Ministry of Tourism — CBDD operational guidelines
• 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.