Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD schemes reshape India's tourism infrastructure
Synopsis
India has quietly built one of its largest tourism infrastructure pipelines — ₹5,000 crore across 15 circuits under Swadesh Darshan, ₹1,700 crore at pilgrimage sites under PRASHAD, and ₹3,295 crore more via SASCI across 23 states. With the WTTC projecting India to rise from eighth to fourth in global tourism rankings, the numbers suggest a structural shift, not just a spending spree.
Key Takeaways
76 Swadesh Darshan projects sanctioned; 75 physically completed with over ₹5,000 crore invested across 15 tourist circuits .
PRASHAD scheme has approved 54 projects worth over ₹1,700 crore , upgrading pilgrimage sites including Somnath , Srisailam , and Govardhan .
SASCI has sanctioned 40 projects across 23 states with an outlay of ₹3,295.76 crore .
India recorded 181.25 million international arrivals and 93.35 million foreign tourist arrivals between 2014 and 2025 .
India ranks eighth in global tourism economies; WTTC projects a rise to fourth place within a decade.
Tourism contributes $231.6 billion to India's economy; 50 more destinations are proposed for development.
India's tourism infrastructure has undergone a significant overhaul under two flagship central schemes, with 76 Swadesh Darshan projects sanctioned and 54 projects worth over ₹1,700 crore approved under the PRASHAD pilgrimage scheme, according to an official government statement released on Thursday, 25 June.
Swadesh Darshan: Scale and Reach
Under the first phase of the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Centre has invested over ₹5,000 crore across 15 tourist circuits nationwide. Of the 76 projects sanctioned, 75 have been physically completed, delivering improved visitor amenities, stronger connectivity, and enhanced tourist facilitation infrastructure at circuit destinations across the country.
PRASHAD Scheme: Upgrading Pilgrimage Sites
The PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme has sanctioned 54 projects worth over ₹1,700 crore, with a focus on high-footfall spiritual destinations. Sites such as Somnath in Gujarat, Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, and the holy Govardhan in Uttar Pradesh have seen measurable improvements in safety infrastructure and visitor convenience, according to the statement.
SASCI: Turning Destinations into World-Class Hubs
A third intervention — the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme — has approved 40 projects across 23 states with a combined outlay of ₹3,295.76 crore. The scheme is designed to elevate high-potential destinations to world-class tourism hubs, broadening the geographic spread of investment beyond the established circuits.
India's Tourism Footprint: A Decade in Numbers
Between 2014 and 2025, India recorded 181.25 million international arrivals and 93.35 million foreign tourist arrivals. The distinction is significant: international arrivals include both foreign nationals and non-resident Indians (NRIs), while foreign tourist arrivals count only overseas nationals. Over 100 destinations have been upgraded over the last decade, and the government has proposed development of a further 50 key destinations to deepen tourism readiness.
Global Standing and What Comes Next
India currently ranks eighth among the world's top tourism economies, with the sector contributing $231.6 billion to the national economy. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has projected India to climb to fourth place globally over the next decade. Travel facilitation is also being strengthened through a significant expansion of the e-Visa system, making India accessible to visitors from a larger number of countries. With 50 additional destinations in the pipeline and SASCI projects still under execution, the sector's structural upgrade is far from complete.
Point of View
PRASHAD, and SASCI now exceeds ₹10,000 crore — a serious capital commitment by any measure. Yet the government's own data reveals a gap worth examining: 181 million international arrivals over eleven years is a cumulative figure, not an annual one, and India's share of global tourist arrivals remains well below its demographic and geographic weight. The WTTC's projection of a fourth-place ranking is a forecast, not a guarantee, and it hinges on execution quality at the 50 upcoming destinations and sustained e-Visa expansion. The real test is whether improved infrastructure translates into longer average stays and higher per-visitor spend — the metrics that actually move GDP contribution.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Swadesh Darshan scheme and how many projects are complete?
The Swadesh Darshan scheme is a central government programme to develop thematic tourist circuits across India. Of the 76 projects sanctioned under its first phase, 75 have been physically completed, backed by an investment of over ₹5,000 crore across 15 circuits.
What is the PRASHAD scheme and which pilgrimage sites does it cover?
PRASHAD — Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive — is a central scheme focused on upgrading infrastructure at major religious destinations. It has sanctioned 54 projects worth over ₹1,700 crore, improving safety and amenities at sites including Somnath, Srisailam, and Govardhan in Uttar Pradesh.
What is the SASCI scheme for tourism?
The Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme provides central funding to states for developing high-potential tourism destinations into world-class hubs. It has approved 40 projects across 23 states with a total outlay of ₹3,295.76 crore.
Where does India rank in global tourism and what is the WTTC projection?
India currently ranks eighth among the world's top tourism economies, with the sector contributing $231.6 billion to the national economy. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has projected India to rise to fourth place globally over the next decade.
How many international tourists visited India between 2014 and 2025?
India recorded 181.25 million international arrivals and 93.35 million foreign tourist arrivals between 2014 and 2025. International arrivals include both foreign nationals and non-resident Indians (NRIs), while foreign tourist arrivals count overseas nationals only.
