The Ministry of Tourism's Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) was initiated in 2014-15 to promote integrated development of theme-based tourism circuits. As of July 2025, 76 projects have been sanctioned nationwide under SDS, with a total allocation of ₹5290.33 Crore. Project approvals were based on proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies, adherence to scheme guidelines, budget availability, and established priorities. Deviations in project costs are considered on a case-by-case basis following prescribed procedures.
The scheme was revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) to focus on developing sustainable tourism destinations. Under SD2.0, 52 projects have been sanctioned for ₹2108.87 Crore. Additionally, the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, has sanctioned 36 projects for ₹648.10 Crore. A feasibility study of the scheme was conducted by the National Productivity Council in 2019. Project completion timelines under the Swadesh Darshan scheme varied due to factors such as Covid-19, seasonality, and local issues.
The information was provided by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha. For further information, contact Sunil Kumar Tiwari at tourism4pib@gmail.com.
Key Entities Referenced
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism for integrated development of theme-based tourism circuits.
Ministry of Tourism: The government ministry responsible for the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: A revamped version of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme with the objective to develop sustainable tourism destinations.
Challenge Based Destination Development: A sub-scheme of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
National Productivity Council: Organization that undertook a feasibility study of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2019.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where information about the Swadesh Darshan Scheme was provided.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture who provided information about the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Ministry of Tourism
Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of
Tourism
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 3:24PM by PIB Delhi
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) was launched in 2014–15 post budget announcement with the objective
of integrated development of theme-based tourism circuits. Under this scheme, a total of 76 projects have
been sanctioned across the country for a total amount of ₹5290.33 Crore in various States/UTs. Project under
the scheme were sanctioned based on the project proposal submitted by the concerned State Government/UT
Administration/ Central Agency and its adherence to the scheme guidelines, availability of budget, inter-se
priority supported by due approvals. As and when any request for deviation in the project cost is received
from the side of State Government with due reasons, the same is considered as per the prescribed procedure.
The Ministry of Tourism further revamped the scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the
objective to develop sustainable tourism destinations in the country and has sanctioned 52 projects
under SD2.0 for Rs. 2108.87 Crore. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism under the Challenge Based
Destination Development (CBDD) - a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme has also
sanctioned 36 projects for Rs.648.10 Crore.
A feasibility study of the scheme was undertaken through National Productivity Council in 2019.
Under the implementation phase of Swadesh Darshan scheme, project completion timelines varied
on case-to-case basis depending on various factors such as Covid 19, seasonality, local issues
etc.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2149242)