Quick answer. “Swadesh Darshan” is the Government of India's flagship tourism-infrastructure scheme, run by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), that funds states to build and upgrade tourism destinations. It runs in two generations — Swadesh Darshan 1.0 (launched 2014–15) which sanctioned 76 thematic-circuit projects worth Rs 5,295.24 crore with Rs 4,964.75 crore released and 75 of 76 physically complete; and Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (launched 2022) which has so far sanctioned 53 projects worth Rs 2,208.31 crore with a sharper focus on sustainable, responsible, destination-led development. SD 2.0 carries three operational sub-schemes — Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD, 38 projects, Rs 697.94 crore), Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA, 5 states, 9 clusters, 365 homestays, Rs 17.52 crore), and the State Perspective Plan (SPP) through which states submit their Top-10 destinations. PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) is a parallel pilgrimage-circuit scheme — 54 projects in 28 States/UTs, Rs 1,726.74 crore sanctioned, Rs 1,213.56 crore released as on 6 March 2026. SASCI (Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, Part III) issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance in August 2024, gives 50-year interest-free loans to states for Iconic Tourist Centres of global scale — 40 projects shortlisted at Rs 3,295.76 crore so far. Together these schemes are the load-bearing rails of every state's tourism budget. The MoT's EFC note for continuation 2026-27 to 2031-32 has been formulated and submitted for approval — once cleared, fresh proposals open.

This pillar guide gives you the full citizen-readable map of all six schemes — what each one funds, who decides, what's been sanctioned, who is left out, what RTI questions to ask, and how to verify projects in your own state. Every section links to a deep-dive article in the cluster.

Combined central allocation: roughly Rs 13,200+ crore across the six schemes, before SASCI's full pipeline disbursement and the SD 1.0 final reconciliation. None of this counts state matching contributions — most state schemes (Uttarakhand, Himachal, Sikkim, Odisha, Meghalaya) layer their own subsidies on top, often quintupling the on-the-ground spend.

• Vision: develop tourism infrastructure by funding identified thematic circuits — Buddhist, Coastal, Desert, Eco, Heritage, Himalayan, Krishna, North-East, Ramayana, Rural, Spiritual, Sufi, Tirthankar, Tribal, Wildlife.
• Funding model: 100% central financial assistance to State Governments / UT Administrations / Central Agencies (CAs).
• Numbers: 76 sanctioned, Rs 5,295.24 crore, Rs 4,964.75 crore released, 75 physically complete.
• Karnataka exception: Karnataka had one sanctioned project under SD 1.0 — Coastal Circuit, Dakshina Kannada / Uttara Kannada / Udupi at Rs 95.67 crore (sanction 2016–17) — but the project was dropped after no physical progress for 2 years. Karnataka refunded Rs 19.13 crore + interest to the Consolidated Fund of India in 2018. No new project was sanctioned in Karnataka under SD 1.0 thereafter.
• Western-Ghat-region SD 1.0 examples: Goa Coastal Circuit (Rs 197 crore for two phases including Sinquerim-Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort + Aguada Jail; Rua de Orum Creek, Dona Paula, Colva, Benaulim); Kerala Eco-Circuit Pathanamthitta-Gavi-Vagamon-Thekkady (Rs 64.08 crore); Maharashtra Sindhudurg Coastal (Rs 19.06 crore); Tamil Nadu Coastal Chennai-Mamallapuram-Rameshwaram (Rs 73.13 crore).
• Deep dive: Swadesh Darshan 1.0 — what 76 thematic-circuit projects taught us.

• Mission shift: from projects to tourism experiences. Move from 15 thematic circuits to destination-management approach at the level of one town / valley / coast.
• Pillars: tourism + allied infrastructure, services, human capital, destination management and promotion, policy & institutional reforms.
• Numbers: 53 projects sanctioned, Rs 2,208.31 crore total.
• State Perspective Plan (SPP): each state submits a Top-10 destinations list. Karnataka submitted Kolar, Tumkuru, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Dharmasthala, Adhichunchanagiri, Hubli-Dharwad, Male Mahadeshwara Hills, Srirangapatna and Hampi. Coorg was NOT in this list — a notable gap given the district's eco-tourism centrality. From Karnataka's 10, Mysuru and Hampi were identified for SD 2.0 in concurrence with the State.
• SD 2.0 sanctioned highlights (Western-Ghat region):
  • Goa: Porvorim Creek (Rs 24.07 cr), Colva Beach (Rs 19.89 cr) — both 2024-25
  • Karnataka: Mysuru Ecological Experience Zone (Rs 18.48 cr), Mysuru Tonga Ride Heritage Zone (Rs 2.72 cr), Hampi Traveller Nooks (Rs 25.64 cr) — all 2023-24
  • Kerala: Alappuzha Global Water Wonderland (Rs 93.18 cr), Malampuzha (Rs 75.87 cr), Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (Rs 13.81 cr)
  • Maharashtra: Pune Shivshrusthi Theme Park (Rs 76.22 cr)
  • Tamil Nadu: Mamallapuram Shore Temple (Rs 30.02 cr)
• Sustainability mandates: standardised carrying-capacity assessment template circulated to states; O&M plan required beyond project completion; emphasis on local aesthetics, low-impact construction, water conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, solid-waste management.
• Deep dive: Swadesh Darshan 2.0 — sustainable destinations + Top 10 SPP process.

• Origin: announced in Union Budget 2023–24; objective is competitive, end-to-end transformation of destinations through challenge-based shortlisting.
• Numbers: 38 projects from 38 destinations, total cost Rs 697.94 crore.
• Sanctioned (Western-Ghat region):
  • Goa: Mayem Village (Rs 9.81 cr) — Beautification & Development of Harvalem Waterfall
  • Gujarat: Vadnagar (Rs 17.29 cr), Thol Village (Rs 9.96 cr), Porbandar (Rs 24.66 cr) — Sacred Ocean Retreat at Harsiddhi Shore
  • Karnataka: Bidar (Rs 25.00 cr) — Heritage Tourism Destination
  • Kerala: Varkala-Dakshin Kashi (Rs 25.00 cr), Thalassery: The Spiritual Nexus (Rs 25.00 cr)
  • Maharashtra: Ahmednagar Fort (Rs 25.00 cr)
  • Tamil Nadu: Rameswaram Island (Rs 20.01 cr) — Iconic transformation
• What CBDD funds differently from SD 2.0 base: a single end-to-end experience at a destination — not just one component but the full visitor journey. Themes: Culture & Heritage, Spiritual Tourism, Ecotourism & Amrit Dharohar Sites.
• Deep dive: CBDD — Challenge Based Destination Development under SD 2.0.

• Full name: Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan.
• Operationalisation: Draft Schematic Guideline issued vide OM No. SD-7/34/2024-SD dated 20.01.2025.
• Mission: promote responsible tourism + livelihood opportunities in tribal villages; convergence with the broader DAJUGA / PM-JUGA tribal-development framework.
• Numbers: 5 States, 9 village clusters, 55 villages, 365 homestays (209 new + 156 renovation), Rs 17.52 crore.
• State-wise allocation:
  • Andhra Pradesh — 1 cluster, 5 villages, 33 homestays (all renovation), Rs 1.23 cr
  • Ladakh — 3 clusters, 19 villages, 111 homestays (18 new + 93 renovation), Rs 4.59 cr
  • Madhya Pradesh — 2 clusters, 14 villages, 86 homestays (all new), Rs 5.00 cr
  • Mizoram — 2 clusters, 12 villages, 89 homestays (all new), Rs 5.00 cr
  • Uttarakhand — 1 cluster, 5 villages, 46 homestays (16 new + 30 renovation), Rs 1.70 cr
• Why this matters: this is the first formally MoT-funded homestay programme under SD 2.0 and is a model that other state homestay subsidies can converge with. See our government-schemes article on how non-tribal homestay owners can stack other subsidies (Mudra, PMEGP, state-tourism subsidy) to similar effect.
• Deep dive: PM-JUGA tribal homestays — 365 homestays in 9 clusters.

• Full name: National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive.
• Launch: January 2015.
• Numbers: 54 projects in 28 States/UTs, sanctioned Rs 1,726.74 crore, released Rs 1,213.56 crore as on 6 March 2026.
• Western-Ghat region examples:
  • Goa: Bom Jesus Basilica (Rs 16.46 cr) — sanctioned 2024–25
  • Gujarat: Dwarka, Somnath (initial + Promenade), Ambaji Banaskantha — Rs 152.94 cr cumulative
  • Karnataka: Sri Chamundeshwari Mysuru (Rs 45.38 cr, 2023-24), Renuka Yallama (Rs 18.37 cr, 2024-25), Papnash Bidar (Rs 22.25 cr, 2024-25) — Rs 86.00 cr
  • Kerala: Guruvayur (Rs 45.19 cr, 2016-17)
  • Maharashtra: Trimbakeshwar Nashik (Rs 45.41 cr, 2017-18)
  • Tamil Nadu: Kanchipuram (Rs 13.99 cr), Velankanni (Rs 4.86 cr), 8 Navagraha Temples (Rs 40.94 cr, 2024-25)
• What PRASHAD typically funds: queue-management mandapams, public conveniences, ghat / kalyani upgradation, drinking water, illumination, parking, signage, IT systems (CCTV, public-address, digital signage), pilgrim arrival centres, sewage-treatment plants. The Sri Chamundeshwari (Mysuru) Rs 45.38 cr project alone funds 19 distinct components plus a Mahishasura Plaza pilgrimage facility complex.
• Deep dive: PRASHAD — pilgrimage rejuvenation scheme deep dive.

• Owner: Department of Expenditure (DoE), Ministry of Finance — not MoT directly. Operational guidelines issued 9 August 2024.
• Funding model: 50-year interest-free loans from the Centre to States for iconic tourist centres, with a strong branding + global-scale marketing mandate.
• Numbers: 40 projects shortlisted at Rs 3,295.76 crore in consultation with State Governments.
• Western-Ghat region projects:
  • Goa: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Ponda (Rs 97.46 cr); Townsquare in Porvorim (Rs 90.74 cr)
  • Gujarat: Ecotourism at Kerly/Mokarsagar Porbandar (Rs 99.50 cr); Tented City + Convention Centre at Dhordo (Rs 51.56 cr)
  • Karnataka: Roerich & Devika Rani Estate Tataguni Bengaluru (Rs 99.17 cr — partially commenced, forest clearance pending for part of site); Savadatti Yallammagudda Belgavi (Rs 100 cr — tender published)
  • Kerala: Ashtamudi Biodiversity / Eco-recreational Hub Kollam (Rs 59.71 cr); Sargaalayaa “Global Gateway to Malabar's Cultural Crucible” (Rs 95.34 cr)
  • Maharashtra: INS-Guldar Underwater Museum + Submarine Tourism Sindhudurg (Rs 46.91 cr); RAM-KAL PATH Nashik (Rs 99.14 cr)
  • Tamil Nadu: Nandavanam Heritage Park Mammallapuram (Rs 99.67 cr); Eco Park at Race Course Ooty (Rs 70.23 cr)
• Karnataka State submission was 7 projects — only 3 prioritised, of which Roerich-Devika Rani and Savadatti Yallammagudda were sanctioned, Paduvari Someshwara Kollur not sanctioned (CRZ clearance pending).
• Deep dive: SASCI iconic tourist centres — 50-year interest-free state loans.

The Ministry's Assistance to Central Agencies scheme funds ITDC, WAPCOS, BECIL, ASI, Port Trust of India, Ministry of Railways, etc. for tourism-infrastructure projects at the central-agency level. Indicative project — Hospet Railway Station upgrade (March 2017, Rs 5.41 cr, complete) supports Hampi tourism. Components: waiting/retiring rooms, modern toilets, executive lounges, cloak-room, passenger guidance, circulating-area improvement, accessibility for persons with disabilities, booking-office upgrade.

• EFC note for scheme continuation from FY 2026-27 to FY 2031-32 has been formulated and submitted for approval.
• Once approved, MoT will issue revised guidelines and States/UTs may submit fresh proposals.
• Conveyed via OM No. SD-8/15/2020-SD-Part(6) dated 22 December 2025.
• What citizens can do now: file RTIs to your State Tourism Department asking what proposals it intends to submit in the next cycle, and which districts are prioritised. See how to use RTI to track these schemes.

1. Public money on visible ground. Together these schemes will spend in excess of Rs 13,000 crore on visible infrastructure — visitor centres, mandapams, signage, parking, sewage, ropes, eco-bridges. Quality and pace are improved by citizen oversight.
2. Local-economy multiplier. Every sanctioned project triggers downstream spend on hospitality, transport, food, guides. An accurate registry of sanctions in your district lets you push for the catalytic services around it.
3. Eco-sensitivity protections. SD 2.0 mandates carrying-capacity assessment, O&M plans, low-impact construction. The compliance is uneven. Coorg's experience — 1,000+ landslides in 10 years, over-tourism concentrated in 5 spots — shows what happens without enforcement.
4. Tribal + rural inclusion. PM-JUGA puts homestays in tribal villages on a national footing. Citizens can verify whether the 365 sanctioned homestays exist on the ground and whether disbursement reached the village SHG / cluster lead.
5. Pilgrimage modernisation. PRASHAD upgrades civic infrastructure at temple towns. The component-wise sanctions are public; deviations are detectable on the ground.

The MoT Coorg Background Note (Parliamentary Standing Committee study visit, 4 May 2026) is explicit: no project has been sanctioned in Coorg under MoT or SASCI Destination Development schemes. Karnataka's 10-destination SPP for SD 2.0 didn't include Coorg. The pitch from the Karnataka Tourism Department (May 2026) seeks 8 areas of central support — funding for Coorg as a model eco-tourism destination under SD 2.0, technical assistance for Destination Master Planning, a dedicated Coffee Tourism Council, international branding, regional air connectivity (UDAN airstrip + helipads), heritage grants (Ainmane and Devarakadu), NH-275 green-transport expansion, and disaster-warning systems. Citizens in Coorg, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and other Western-Ghat districts can mirror this pitch in their own RTI to the State Tourism Department asking why the district is not in the SPP and what it would take to be added. See Eco-tourism + carrying capacity in the Western Ghats.

• 2. Swadesh Darshan 1.0 — what 76 thematic-circuit projects taught us (2014–19)
• 3. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 — sustainable destinations + Top-10 SPP process
• 4. Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) under SD 2.0 — 38 projects, Rs 698 crore
• 5. PM-JUGA tribal homestays — 365 homestays in 9 clusters across 5 states
• 6. PRASHAD pilgrimage rejuvenation — 54 projects in 28 states, Rs 1,727 crore
• 7. SASCI iconic tourist centres — 50-year interest-free loans for global-scale destinations
• 8. Eco-tourism + carrying capacity in the Western Ghats — Coorg as case study
• 9. How citizens use RTI to track Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, SASCI projects in their district

“The Six-Lane Tourism Highway” — a horizontal multi-lane diagram with the citizen-traveller at the centre and six lanes of central scheme funding flowing in:

• SD 1.0 → “75 of 76 done — circuit era closed”
• SD 2.0 → “53 sustainable destinations, Top-10 SPP”
• CBDD → “38 challenge winners — full-experience makeover”
• PM-JUGA → “365 tribal homestays in 5 states”
• PRASHAD → “Pilgrim infrastructure in 28 states”
• SASCI → “Rs 3,300 cr for iconic global-scale centres”

Right margin: a simple stacked bar showing Karnataka's central-tourism receipts (~Rs 362 crore total to date) vs Karnataka's submitted-but-unfunded ask (~Rs 1,200 crore including Coorg-specific support).

• Hero — a wide composite of three iconic destinations sanctioned across the schemes (e.g., Hampi UNESCO ruins, Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Mysuru, Coorg coffee plantation) with a “Centre + State” caption.
• Mid-article — split-frame: a before photo of a temple-town queue-management gap vs an after of the same town's PRASHAD-funded mandapam.
• Pre-FAQ — a flow diagram: “How a project becomes a sanctioned scheme” — district-level proposal → state tourism dept → MoT → CSMC review → DPR → sanction → tender → execution → O&M.

No. Swadesh Darshan funds tourism circuits and destinations; PRASHAD specifically funds pilgrimage and spiritual-heritage sites. Both are MoT schemes but they have different guidelines and project pipelines. PRASHAD is older (2015) and runs in parallel.

Generally no. SD 2.0 funds States; PM-JUGA funds village clusters via the State Tribal Welfare / Tourism Department. Individual homestay owners get to register state-wise homestay registration + apply for state subsidies; central capital flows through the state. See homestay government schemes article.

Persistent non-progress triggers a CSMC review (Central Sanctioning & Monitoring Committee). If the State cannot demonstrate progress, the project is dropped and the released amount is returned to the Consolidated Fund of India with interest. Karnataka returned Rs 19.13 crore + interest in 2018 after no progress on the coastal circuit project for two years.

A combination of: (a) the SD 1.0 Coastal Circuit reversal in 2018, (b) Karnataka not submitting Coorg under SD 2.0 SPP — limiting its destination pipeline, © most SASCI projects are recent (FY 2024-25) and not yet drawing utilisation. Karnataka's State tourism budget is several multiples of central receipts, but the central pipeline is meaningful for marquee destinations.

Three ways: (a) ask your State Tourism Department PIO under §6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 for the list of central-scheme sanctions in your district — see RTI tracking guide; (b) cross-reference the MoT's Parliamentary Standing Committee background notes (these list state-wise sanctions); © use Government API directory to query data.gov.in API for MoT scheme datasets.

The MoT has formulated an EFC note for FY 2026-27 to FY 2031-32; once approved, States will be invited to submit fresh proposals via the State Perspective Plan (SPP) framework. This is expected to be early FY 2026-27.

Carrying capacity = the maximum number of visitors a destination can absorb without ecological degradation, infrastructure overload, or cultural-fabric damage. SD 2.0 mandates a standardised assessment template before sanction. Coorg has demonstrated what happens when this is ignored — 90% of visits concentrated in 5 spots, 1,000+ landslides in a decade, escalating human-wildlife conflict. See Western-Ghat eco-tourism article.

Yes. Department of Expenditure / Ministry of Finance issues SASCI Part III as a 50-year interest-free loan to states. The principal is repayable; no interest. This is meant to capitalise long-tail tourism infrastructure that would not justify commercial debt. The state services the principal; the centre absorbs the interest cost.

1. [ ] Identify your district's sanctioned projects under each of the six schemes (use the RTI guide)
2. [ ] Track physical progress on the State Tourism Department portal (each state publishes monthly progress)
3. [ ] If your district is missing from SPP, file an RTI to the State Tourism Department asking why and what evidence is needed for inclusion
4. [ ] For PRASHAD-funded temples, verify component-wise execution against the sanctioned DPR
5. [ ] For tribal-homestay clusters, verify physical homestay numbers against the schematic guideline release
6. [ ] Track the EFC continuation notification — once approved, fresh-proposal window opens
7. [ ] Compare your state's central receipts with peer states — surface gaps to your State Tourism Minister + MP
8. [ ] Register on the MoT's Incredible India portal if you operate a homestay — visibility is bundled into many SD 2.0 sub-projects
9. [ ] Cross-link any PRASHAD / SASCI temple-town infrastructure with carrying-capacity data — push your municipal corporation to publish it

• Homestay in India 2026 — pillar guide
• Government schemes for homestay owners
• Apply for Mudra Loan — full guide
• Government schemes hub
• AI RTI Drafter — generate a Section 6(1) RTI in 60 seconds
• RTI Timeline Calculator
• Government API & open-data directory

• Ministry of Tourism — Background Note for Parliamentary Standing Committee, “Promotion of Eco-Tourism, Homestay Economy and Carrying Capacity Management in the Western Ghats with focus on Coorg as a Model Destination under Swadesh Darshan 2.0”, Destination Development Division, Government of India, 4 May 2026.
• Ministry of Tourism — Swadesh Darshan Scheme Operational Guidelines (2014–15) and revised guidelines (2017).
• Ministry of Tourism — Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Operational Guidelines (2022).
• Ministry of Tourism — CBDD (Challenge Based Destination Development) Guidelines, sub-scheme of SD 2.0.
• Ministry of Tourism — Draft Schematic Guideline for Development of Tribal Homestays, OM No. SD-7/34/2024-SD dated 20.01.2025.
• Ministry of Tourism — PRASHAD Scheme guidelines (January 2015).
• Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure — Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Part III guidelines, 9 August 2024.
• Ministry of Tourism — OM No. SD-8/15/2020-SD-Part(6) dated 22 December 2025 on EFC continuation FY 2026-27 to FY 2031-32.
• Karnataka Tourism Policy 2024–29 — Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka.
• Karnataka Government Circular No. TOR 134 TDO 2025 dated 27 April 2026 — implementing upgraded protocols for operation, safety and security of Homestays and Bed & Breakfast Establishments.
• India Tourism Data Compendium 2025 — MoT, GoI.

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Last reviewed: 4 May 2026 — RTI Wiki editorial team. All scheme citations verified against the MoT Parliamentary Standing Committee Background Note (4 May 2026) + MoT operational guidelines + DoE SASCI guidelines as on 4 May 2026.