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)

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

SASCI (Scheme for Assistance to States for Capital Investment) iconic tourist centres — complete guide:

1. Step 1: What is SASCI? (a) SASCI (Scheme for Assistance to States for Capital Investment) is a central government scheme — launched by the Ministry of Tourism — to provide financial assistance to states — for developing iconic tourist centres — and for infrastructure development — at tourist destinations, (b) the scheme was introduced in the Union Budget — to promote tourism — and to create world-class infrastructure — at selected tourist sites — to attract domestic and international tourists, © the scheme covers: (i) development of iconic tourist centres (selected sites — with historical, cultural, or natural significance — that have the potential to become world-class tourist destinations), (ii) infrastructure development (including roads, parking, toilets, drinking water, signage, lighting, and visitor centres), (iii) capacity building (training of guides, security personnel, and local vendors), (iv) marketing and promotion (of the tourist sites — at the national and international level), (d) the funding is shared (the Centre provides a portion — and the state provides the balance — the ratio varies — depending on the state's category — special category states get a higher share).
2. Step 2: Selected iconic tourist centres. (a) the Ministry of Tourism has selected several iconic tourist centres — for development under SASCI — including: (i) historical monuments ( Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Hampi, Khajuraho, etc.), (ii) cultural sites (Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, Amritsar, Madurai, etc.), (iii) natural sites (Goa, Kerala backwaters, Andaman beaches, Ladakh, etc.), (iv) pilgrimage sites (Vaishno Devi, Shirdi, Tirupati, Ajmer Sharif, etc.), (b) the selection criteria: (i) tourist footfall (the site should have a high number of visitors), (ii) historical/cultural significance (the site should have national or international importance), (iii) infrastructure gap (the site should need infrastructure development), (iv) state's commitment (the state should be willing to contribute — and to maintain the infrastructure).
3. Step 3: How to track progress. (a) the Ministry of Tourism publishes progress reports (on its website — tourism.gov.in — including the funds released, the expenditure, the physical progress, and the completion status), (b) the state tourism departments publish state-level reports (on their websites — with the project details — and the progress), © the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) audits the scheme (and reports on the utilization of funds — and the physical progress — and the deficiencies), (d) the Parliamentary Standing Committee reviews the scheme (and submits reports — to the Parliament — on the progress — and the issues), (e) the citizen can track the progress (through RTI — see Step 4 — and through the websites — and the public audits).
4. Step 4: File RTI. File RTI with the Ministry of Tourism asking for: (a) the scheme details: “Provide the following information on SASCI — for the year [year]: (i) the total budget allocation, (ii) the funds released to each state, (iii) the list of iconic tourist centres selected, (iv) the criteria for selection, (v) the timeline for completion”, (b) the project status: “Provide the status of the SASCI project at [tourist site] — in [state] — including: (i) the sanctioned budget, (ii) the funds released, (iii) the expenditure, (iv) the physical progress (percentage completion), (v) the contractor and the contract amount, (vi) the timeline (start date and end date), (vii) the completion certificate — if issued, (viii) the quality test report, (ix) the photos (before and after — if available)”, © the utilization certificate: “Provide the utilization certificate — submitted by [state] — for the SASCI funds — for the year [year] — including: (i) the amount received, (ii) the amount spent, (iii) the purposes, (iv) the unspent amount, (v) the verification — and the approval”, (d) the CAG audit: “Provide the CAG audit report on SASCI — for the year [year] — including: (i) the findings, (ii) the deficiencies, (iii) the unspent amount, (iv) the action taken — on the audit findings”, (e) the complaints: “Provide the total complaints received — regarding SASCI — from [date] to [date] — and the action taken — and the status”.
5. Step 5: Common issues. (a) funds not released (the Centre delays the release of funds — to the states — which delays the project — and the infrastructure work), (b) funds not utilized (the state does not utilize the funds — within the stipulated timeline — and the funds lapse — or are returned), © poor quality work (the contractor does sub-standard work — and the infrastructure is poor — and does not last), (d) land acquisition delays (the land for the project is not acquired — on time — because of disputes — or environmental clearance issues), (e) coordination issues (between the Centre, the state, and the local bodies — which delays the project), (f) maintenance (the infrastructure is not maintained — after the project is completed — and the facilities deteriorate).
6. Step 6: How to complain. (a) complain to the Ministry of Tourism (through the PGMS portal — pgportal.gov.in — with the project details — and the issues), (b) complain to the state tourism department (with the project details — and the issues — and the demand for action), © complain to the CAG (if the funds are misused — or the project is sub-standard — the CAG can audit — and report), (d) file a PIL (in the High Court — or the Supreme Court — for public interest — the court can order an inquiry — and recovery), (e) approach the media (the media attention can pressure the government — to act — and to ensure the project is completed — and the infrastructure is maintained).
7. Step 7: Practical tips. (a) check the website (before filing RTI — check the Ministry of Tourism's website — and the state's website — for the project details — and the progress), (b) file RTI early (to get the project status — and the fund utilization — before the records are lost — or the project is delayed further), © be specific (mention the tourist site — and the state — and the year — for a focused reply), (d) use the RTI reply for action (the RTI reply is evidence — use it for complaints — and for litigation — and for media — to hold the government accountable), (e) Example: A citizen filed RTI with the Ministry of Tourism — asking for the status of the SASCI project at a tourist site — the reply showed that Rs 50 crore was sanctioned — but only Rs 10 crore was spent — and the project was 20% complete — after 2 years — the citizen filed a complaint with the Ministry — and approached the media — the Ministry directed the state to expedite — and the project was completed — within 1 year — and the infrastructure was developed — and the tourist footfall increased.

See SASCI Tourist Centres and Find PIO.