- Why in news
- On 13 February 2026, the Tourism Minister told Lok Sabha that Swadesh Darshan has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, with a Challenge Based Destination Development sub-scheme, and listed other tourism schemes.
- What it is
- Swadesh Darshan is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, launched in 2014-15, to develop themed tourist circuits in States and UTs. PRASHAD, launched in 2014-15, develops pilgrimage and heritage sites. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 shifts the focus from circuits to sustainable destinations.
- Swadesh Darshan 2.0
- The revamped scheme aims at sustainable and responsible destinations, with a tourist and destination centric approach, framed in consultation with States/UTs.
- CBDD
- Challenge Based Destination Development is a sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 for holistic development of destinations across the tourist value chain.
- ACA
- Assistance to Central Agencies gives support to bodies such as ITDC, WAPCOS, BECIL, ASI and Port Trust of India for tourism infrastructure.
- CBSP
- Capacity Building for Service Providers gives education, training and certification to hospitality service providers, to help move from informal to formal jobs.
- Homestays
- Budget 2025-26 announced collateral-free institutional credit through Mudra Loans for homestays.
- Launch
- Swadesh Darshan was launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tourism.
- Scale
- 76 projects worth Rs 5,290.33 crore have been sanctioned under thematic circuits.
- Uttar Pradesh status
- Projects on the Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits in Uttar Pradesh are physically complete.
- Who develops destinations
- Destination planning and development is mainly the responsibility of the State or UT government. The Centre's scheme complements this.
- SASCI iconic centres
- Under SASCI, the 'Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti' project was sanctioned in 2024-25 for Rs 80.24 crore.
- Funding type
- Swadesh Darshan is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
- Type of schemes
- Swadesh Darshan, SD 2.0, PRASHAD and others are ongoing Central Sector Schemes of the Ministry of Tourism.
- PRASHAD project in Assam
- PRASHAD funds the Kamakhya Temple and pilgrimage destination development in and around Guwahati.
- How funds flow
- States, UTs or Central Agencies prepare proposals. Aid depends on guidelines, conditions and availability of funds.
- Stated objectives
- The schemes aim at holistic, sustainable infrastructure to boost tourism, conserve culture, create jobs and strengthen local economies.
Don’t confuse with Swadesh Darshan vs PRASHAD: Swadesh Darshan develops themed tourist circuits and now destinations; PRASHAD develops pilgrimage and heritage sites.
Don’t confuse with CBSP vs ACA: CBSP trains tourism service providers; ACA funds Central agencies for infrastructure.
Don’t confuse with Swadesh Darshan vs SASCI iconic centres: Swadesh Darshan covers thematic circuits. The SASCI scheme develops iconic tourist centres to global scale, with capital investment support to States.
Don’t confuse with SASCI vs ACA: SASCI gives special assistance to States for capital investment. ACA assists Central Agencies for tourism infrastructure.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Shifting from circuits to destinations aims at sustainable, responsible tourism and better visitor experience.
- Training and homestay credit help formalise jobs and raise rural incomes.
- Circuit-based infrastructure can raise tourist arrivals and local jobs around heritage and pilgrimage sites.
- Central aid fills gaps in tourism infrastructure that States alone may not fund.
- Projects aim to create jobs and support local economies.
Problems
- Tourism is mainly a State subject, so Central schemes depend on State capacity and coordination.
- Tourism is a State subject, so outcomes depend on State-level planning and upkeep.
- Released and utilised amounts lag behind sanctioned amounts in several projects, as the annexure shows.
- Tourism is a State subject, so outcomes depend on State proposals and capacity.
- Aid depends on conditions and availability of funds, which can delay projects.
Way forward
- Use challenge-based, competitive selection of destinations to improve quality and accountability.
- Link asset creation to maintenance, marketing and last-mile connectivity.
- Track utilisation and outcomes, not only physical completion.
- Strengthen State capacity to prepare and execute proposals.
- Focus on sustainable, community-linked destination development.
Put in your answer
Rural tourism strategy: The national strategy rests on six pillars, including clusters, digital platforms and capacity building.
Shrawasti project: Rs 80.24 crore Buddhist tourism project in Shrawasti sanctioned in 2024-25 under SASCI.
- 2014Mains ESSAY · Q4Essay on whether tourism can be India's next big thing.
- 2015Mains GS1 · Q17Evaluate tourism pressure on ecological carrying capacity in Himalayan states.
- 2013Mains GS2 · Q12Critically evaluate restructuring of centrally sponsored schemes for state flexibility
- 2019Mains GS1 · Q15How to restore mountain ecosystems damaged by development and tourism.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Pairs
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following pairs of a tourism scheme or initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and its feature:
- 1.Challenge Based Destination Development — Sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0
- 2.Assistance to Central Agencies — Support to State Tourism Development Corporations for tourism infrastructure
- 3.Best Tourism Villages competition — Two editions held, with 71 villages recognised so far
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Swadesh Darshan 2.0 follows a tourist and destination centric approach to develop sustainable and responsible destinations.
True. SD2.0 aims at sustainable and responsible destinations with a destination centric approach.
2.Challenge Based Destination Development is a sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
True. CBDD is a sub-scheme under SD2.0.
3.Under the Assistance to Central Agencies scheme, financial support is given to State Tourism Development Corporations for tourism infrastructure.
False. ACA supports Central agencies such as ITDC, WAPCOS, BECIL, ASI and Port Trust of India.
4.Mudra Loans for homestays were announced in Budget 2025-26 as collateral-free institutional credit.
True. Budget 2025-26 announced collateral-free Mudra Loans for homestays.
5.The Task Force for Development of Rural Tourism is chaired by the Union Minister for Tourism.
False. It was constituted under the chairpersonship of the Secretary (Tourism).
6.The Ministry of Tourism has formulated two separate National Strategies, one for Adventure Tourism and one for Eco-tourism.
True. Two separate national strategies exist: Adventure Tourism and Eco-tourism.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.