Swadesh Darshan 2.0 — sustainable destinations citizen guide

Quick answer. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) is the Ministry of Tourism's relaunched destination-development scheme, operational from 2022, designed to shift the unit of intervention from “project” to “destination.” Under SD 2.0 each State / UT prepares a State Perspective Plan (SPP) — a Top-10 list of destinations the State proposes to develop in concurrence with the Centre. The Ministry, in coordination with the State, identifies destinations from this list for sanction. SD 2.0 carries forward the Central Financial Assistance model from SD 1.0 but layers on three operational mandates: (1) Carrying-Capacity Assessment before sanction (a standardised template is shared with States), (2) Visitor-Management Strategies to prevent overtourism + ecological stress, and (3) Operation & Maintenance plans that survive past project completion. The scheme also operates two sub-schemes: Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) for end-to-end destination experiences, and Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas under PM-JUGA (Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan). For citizens, SD 2.0 sanctions are public records under Section 4(1)(b)(xii) RTI Act, 2005, and the Top-10 SPP framework gives every State Government a structured way to bring overlooked destinations to the central pipeline.

1. Carrying-Capacity Assessment — a standardised template shared with States to estimate the maximum sustainable visitor load at the destination. Sites that exceed capacity (especially fragile ecological destinations) attract visitor-flow controls + dispersal infrastructure as part of the sanctioned scope.
2. Visitor-Management Strategy — vehicle regulation, EV-based last-mile mobility, digital booking + time-slot systems, seasonal dispersal, signage + information centres. Aimed at preventing over-tourism degradation.
3. Operation & Maintenance plan — explicit, named, in the sanction conditions. The State commits to a post-completion O&M arrangement (often through State Tourism Development Corporation + local body) for a defined period, beyond which sustainability is the State's responsibility.

These three mandates are the lessons learned from SD 1.0 (where post-completion gaps were the most-cited shortcoming).

Every State / UT submits an SPP that lists Top-10 destinations it proposes to develop under SD 2.0. The selection is by the State, reflecting state-level tourism priorities. The Ministry of Tourism, in concurrence with the State, then identifies which destinations from this list will receive central support based on:

• Tourism potential (footfall growth, infrastructure gaps, market readiness)
• State Government readiness (land availability, alignment with Master Plan, O&M commitment)
• Fund availability in the Ministry's annual sanction limit
• Equitable distribution across States / UTs and across categories (heritage, eco, beach, spiritual, etc.)

Destinations not selected in a given cycle remain on the State's pipeline for subsequent cycles.

A competitive shortlisting mechanism for end-to-end destination experiences. States submit themed proposals; the Ministry shortlists. CBDD focuses on Culture & Heritage, Spiritual Tourism, Ecotourism / Amrit Dharohar Sites, and similar narrative themes. Detail: CBDD article.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, this sub-scheme develops homestay clusters in tribal villages to combine livelihood with responsible tourism. Detail: PM-JUGA article.

For an SD 2.0 destination in your district / state:

• PIO, Ministry of Tourism — sanction order, DPR, CSMC observations, quarterly progress reports
• PIO, State Tourism Department — Carrying-Capacity Assessment + Visitor-Management Strategy as approved
• PIO, State Tourism Development Corporation — tender, contractor, completion certificates
• PIO, Local body — O&M arrangement post-completion + complaint register

If your state's SPP doesn't include a destination you think it should, file an RTI to State Tourism asking what proposals the State has in pipeline for the next SD 2.0 cycle.

→ See the RTI-tracking guide for the full how-to.

2022, by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

SD 1.0 funded projects in 15 thematic circuits. SD 2.0 funds destinations with carrying-capacity + O&M + visitor-management mandates. Different unit of intervention.

State Governments prepare the SPP based on state-level tourism priorities. The Ministry of Tourism evaluates jointly with the State.

Generally no. SD 2.0 funds States. Individual operators access the scheme indirectly (via the destination's broader infrastructure benefits). For tribal-area homestays, the PM-JUGA sub-scheme is the named programme — but State-mediated.

To prevent over-tourism. Especially relevant in fragile destinations (Western Ghats, Himalayan eco-zones, coastal cluster sites). The standardised template estimates maximum sustainable visitor load.

Yes under §6(1) RTI Act read with §4(1)(b)(xii). DPRs are public-authority records of subsidy programmes; routine refusal under §8(1)(d) commercial-confidence has been overturned by CIC and HC orders consistently.

File an RTI to State Tourism Department asking the status of SPP preparation + expected submission timeline. Engage your MP / MLA in parallel.

The Ministry of Tourism has formulated an EFC note for scheme continuation FY 2026-27 to FY 2031-32. Once approved, the Ministry will issue revised guidelines and States may submit fresh proposals.

• Urban congestion policy India 2026 — public-transport pricing + parking levers
• 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 — what thematic-circuit projects taught us
• Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)
• PM-JUGA tribal homestays
• PRASHAD pilgrimage scheme
• SASCI iconic tourist centres
• Eco-tourism in the Western Ghats
• How citizens use RTI to track these schemes

• Ministry of Tourism — Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Operational Guidelines (2022)
• Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases on SD 2.0 sanctions
• The Right to Information Act, 2005 — §§4(1)(b)(xii), 6(1)
• RBI v. Jayantilal N. Mistry, (2016) 5 SCC 136

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