By March 2026, the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned 53 projects worth ₹2,208.27 crore under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, alongside 54 projects worth ₹1,726.74 crore under the PRASHAD scheme for pilgrimage infrastructure development. The government’s ambition is stark: tourism’s contribution to GDP must double from 5.22% to 10% over the next decade.

The scale of investment is already delivering measurable outcomes. Under the original Swadesh Darshan scheme launched in 2015, 76 projects worth ₹5,290.33 crore were sanctioned, of which 75 have been physically completed. The revamped SD 2.0, initiated in 2022, focuses on sustainable and responsible destination development, with projects being implemented across the country.

The 15 Circuits: A Comprehensive Framework

The Ministry of Tourism has identified 15 thematic circuits spanning the entire country. These include the Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, North-East Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Tribal Circuit and Wildlife Circuit.

Each circuit is defined as a route having at least three major tourist destinations that are distinct and apart, with well-defined entry and exit points. A circuit can be confined to a State or cover multiple States and Union Territories, with one dominant theme and other sub-themes.

Success Stories: Tehri as a Model for Destination Decongestion

Tehri in Uttarakhand has emerged as one of the country’s major adventure and water tourism destinations following extensive development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. When Mussoorie started witnessing huge tourist footfall leading to massive traffic jams, the ministry funded around 20-25 floating log huts in Tehri to develop it as an alternative destination, about 75 kilometres away.

The results are compelling. Tehri welcomed 53.29 lakh tourists in 2025, registering nearly five percent growth over 2024. Tourist arrivals have risen steadily from 27.46 lakh in 2022 to 37.61 lakh in 2023. The Tehri model demonstrates how strategic public investment, combined with tourism-focused infrastructure development, can transform natural assets into sustainable tourism destinations while boosting local livelihoods. The ministry is now keen to showcase Tehri as a replicable model for other states.

Telangana: Six Thematic Circuits for Holistic Development

Telangana has unveiled a Tourism Development Strategy Plan featuring six thematic circuits: spiritual circuit, heritage circuit, eco-wellness circuit, crafts circuit, water circuit, and Buddhist circuit. The spiritual circuit focuses on revered pilgrimage destinations including Yadagirigutta, Bhadrachalam, and the Ramappa Temple. The heritage circuit includes iconic sites like Warangal, Hyderabad, and Nalgonda, drawing attention to the state’s rich cultural history.

The eco-wellness circuit capitalises on the state’s natural beauty, including the Nallamala Forests, Siddipet, and Mahabubnagar, positioning Telangana as a leading destination for wellness tourism. The crafts circuit, focusing on traditional areas like Pochampally, Narayanpet, and Gadwal, highlights Telangana’s artisanal heritage and handwoven textiles. The water circuit includes locations like Koratikal and Pochera, attracting nature lovers and thrill-seekers with its waterfalls and water bodies.

Budget 2026: Policy Intent Climbs as Capital Outlay Plateaus

In Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an extension of the scheme to temples and Buddhist sites in the Northeast. The government also proposed the development of 15 archaeological sites for tourism, including Lothal and Dholavira, Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, and Leh Palace in Ladakh. “Immersive storytelling skills and technologies will be introduced to help conservation labs, interpretation centres, and guides,” the Finance Minister stated.

However, the government’s allocation to Swadesh Darshan stood at ₹1,905 crore for FY27, barely changed from the previous year. In FY26, the scheme had a total outlay of ₹1,900 crore, of which only ₹517 crore was utilised. The overall budget allocation for the tourism ministry fell 4% to ₹2,438.40 crore for FY27.

Industry Engagement: GITB 2026 and Beyond

The Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2026, hosted in Jaipur, facilitated over 10,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings between Indian sellers and foreign buyers from over 50 countries. The event showcased India’s diverse offerings—from heritage and culture to wellness, wildlife, rural, and experiential tourism—aligned with evolving global travel preferences.

“Tourism is a key growth engine, driving employment, investment, and inclusive development. Through focused initiatives—from heritage restoration and stepwell conservation to new circuits like Shekhawati and improved infrastructure—we are positioning Rajasthan as a year-round, experience-driven destination.”

— Diya Kumari, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan

“India aims to double tourism’s GDP contribution from 5% to 10% in the next 10 years, supported by strong infrastructure growth, expanding aviation networks, and rising demand.”

— Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism

The Challenges: Implementation and Utilisation

Despite the policy intent, challenges remain. The Committee noted that only one out of the 15 thematic circuits under the original Swadesh Darshan scheme has been completed so far. It recommended developing tourist sites under the Himalayan, Buddhist, and North-East circuits on a priority basis, and including more rural areas in tourism circuits to benefit the poor.

A Parliamentary Committee in 2026 noted that only one of the 15 thematic circuits had been completed so far, recommending priority development for Himalayan, Buddhist, and North-East circuits. Fund utilisation continues to be a concern. In FY26, only ₹517 crore of the ₹1,900 crore allocation was utilised.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 at a Glance