Swadesh Darshan Scheme(SDS), 2023: Revamped Vision For Indian Tourism

Policy Update
Rashmi Kumari

Introduction

Launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2015-16, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a central-sector flagship initiative aimed at developing theme-based tourist circuits across India through end-to-end infrastructure and experiential enhancements. As of early 2023, this scheme was comprehensively revamped into Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, focusing on holistic destination and tourist-centric development in partnership with States/UTs and local agencies.

SD 1.0 saw 76 projects sanctioned across 15 thematic circuits at a sanctioned cost of ₹5,290- 5,456 crore between 2014‑15 and 2018‑19. By December 2023, SD 2.0 had identified 55 destinations across 32 States/UTs and the sanctioning of 34 new projects worth ₹793.20 crore, including projects in border areas, had begun.

Functioning

Governance & Institutional Structure-Under SD 2.0, the governance structure has been reformed to include a broader Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee, State‑level steering committees, and Destination Management Committees.
Project Selection & Planning-The scheme mandates Detailed Perspective Plans (DPPs) and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) with benchmarks and gap analyses for each circuit, addressing past planning gaps. Projects combine both “hard” (infrastructure) and “soft” (capacity building, promotion) interventions.
Monitoring & Digitisation-A dedicated Swadesh Darshan Portal facilitates digitised submissions of monthly progress reports, review tracking, and dashboards, ensuring transparency and regular monitoring.
Sustainability & Local Engagement-The scheme emphasises environmental and socio‑cultural sustainability, promoting renewable energy, accessible infrastructure, and community engagement. Capacity-building initiatives target local youth, women, and tribal communities to boost livelihoods and entrepreneurship.

Performance & Achievements

Implementation under SD 1.0

Under the original scheme, 76 projects were sanctioned, and by March 2022, 64 had been physically completed. Key thematic circuits included Himalayan, Coastal, Heritage, Rural, Eco, Spiritual, Ramayana, Tribal, Wildlife, Sufi, Buddhist, Krishna, Desert, and Tirthankar circuits.

Performance under SD 2.0

By late 2023, SD 2.0 had sanctioned 34 new projects worth ₹793 crore, including those in border areas, along with an additional 42 projects under its sub‑scheme “Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)”.

Regional Highlights (examples)

In Andhra Pradesh, under multiple schemes including Swadesh Darshan, ₹450 crore has been sanctioned, spanning projects like the Akhanda Godavari tourism project in Rajahmundry costing ₹94.44 crore, expected to attract 10‑15 lakh tourists initially, rising to 35 lakh by 2035.
In Odisha, the coastal circuit project covering Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada, and Tampara, sanctioned in 2016‑17, was physically completed as part of SD 1.0; Debrigarh and Khinda Village are slated for development under SD 2.0 (DPR pending).

Impact

Economic & Livelihoods-The scheme has created infrastructure that supports local self‑employment, guides, homestays, and allied tourist services. Under SD 2.0, emphasis on local capacity‑building aims to make tourism a sustainable contributor to local economies.
Promotion of Domestic Tourism-With a focus on circuits like Rural, Eco, Heritage, and Spiritual, Swadesh Darshan has contributed to growth in domestic tourist visits, which reached approximately 1,731 million in 2022, though global travel disruptions during COVID impacted foreign arrivals until recovery began in 2022‑23.
Destination Enhancement & Recognition-Completed projects under SD 1.0 have improved infrastructure in heritage forts, coastal zones, temples, and eco‑sites across multiple states. India also won international accolades, such as the Golden City Gate Tourism Awards, boosting global visibility in 2023.

Challenges

Inadequate Planning-Many projects were approved without feasibility studies or a clear tourism strategy. Most circuits lacked a Detailed Perspective Plan, leading to fragmented and poorly guided implementation.
Overlaps with Other Schemes-The scheme often overlapped with PRASHAD and CBDD, causing duplication of efforts and inefficient use of funds in similar areas.
Financial Irregularities-Over ₹4,000 crore was sanctioned by 2016-17 without Cabinet approval, breaching norms for large central schemes and raising accountability concerns.
Project Delays-Approval and execution were slow, with delays of up to six years. No project met its original timeline, reflecting weak administrative efficiency.
No Impact Assessments-Despite clear guidelines, no annual surveys were conducted. This made it difficult to evaluate how well the scheme met its objectives.
Poor DPR Quality-Many Detailed Project Reports were poorly prepared, lacking clarity in design, costing, and sustainability planning, affecting implementation quality.
No Maintenance Plans-Projects often lacked operation and maintenance provisions, risking neglect and underuse of created tourism infrastructure.

Way Forward

Strengthen Planning & Governance-Future projects must begin with robust Detailed Perspective Plans (DPPs) and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). These help identify ground realities and guide sustainable growth. Any project exceeding ₹1,000 crore must seek Cabinet and Finance Committee approvals to ensure transparency.
Improve Monitoring & Coordination-Regular review meetings and consistent monthly reporting through the scheme’s portal should be institutionalised. Destination Management and State Steering Committees must be more active. Independent annual surveys are essential to measure physical progress and broader social and environmental impacts.
Ensure Financial Discipline-Budgets should be realistic, based on actual timelines and cost assessments. Funds must be released on time, with proper utilisation certificates.
Any overspending should be thoroughly reviewed, and necessary corrective measures must be taken to avoid future lapses.
Promote Sustainability & Community Involvement-Tourism infrastructure should follow eco-friendly designs, renewable energy use, accessibility standards, and proper sanitation systems.
Community participation is vital; local youth, women, and tribal groups should be trained and employed in tourism roles to build ownership and ensure long-term upkeep.
Align with Other Schemes Strategically-To avoid duplication, Swadesh Darshan must align with initiatives like PRASHAD, Dekho Apna Desh, and CBDD. Integrated efforts will build a cohesive tourism ecosystem and ensure efficient use of resources.
Boost Visibility Through Marketing-Targeted promotions via domestic campaigns, global expos, and events like the G20 can raise destination visibility. Digital platforms and tech-based tools can enhance tourist engagement, especially among younger travellers.

Conclusion

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (2023 onward) marks a critical shift toward sustainable, destination‑centric tourism, attempting to correct the planning and monitoring gaps of its predecessor. Early successes, 34 new projects worth nearly ₹800 crore, completed coastal projects in Odisha, and transformational initiatives like Akhanda Godavari, underscore its potential. But delivering long‑term impact hinges on stronger planning, financial discipline, community-led execution, and rigorous impact evaluation. The way forward lies in truly integrating tourism development with local economies, ensuring that each tourist circuit becomes a self-sustaining engine of growth, empowerment, and cultural revival across India

References:

Comptroller and Auditor General of India. (2023, August 9). Performance Audit on Swadesh Darshan Scheme – Report No. 17 of 2023. https://cag.gov.in/uploads/PressRelease/PR-PRESS-RELEASE-ON-REPORT-NO-17-ENGLISH-064d39757756e71-05442605.pdf
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. (2023, April). Swadesh Darshan 2.0 – Guidelines Booklet. https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-04/Swadesh%20Darshan%20%20Guideline%20Booklet.pdf
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. (n.d.). Swadesh Darshan Scheme Overview. https://tourism.gov.in/schemes-guidelines-schemes/swadesh-darshan-scheme
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. (n.d.). Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Portal – About Us. https://sd2.tourism.gov.in/AboutUs.aspx
Press Information Bureau. (2023, December 21). Tourism Ministry identifies 55 destinations under Swadesh Darshan 2.0; 34 projects sanctioned worth ₹793 crore. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1989088
PRS Legislative Research. (2023). Summary: CAG Performance Audit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme. https://prsindia.org/policy/report-summaries/swadesh-darshan-scheme
Times of India. (2024, March 28). Akhanda Godavari tourism project launched in Rajahmundry. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/akhanda-godavari-tourism-project-launched-in-rajahmundry/articleshow/122096597.cms
Times of India. (2024, April 11). Tourism project completed in Odisha: Minister. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/tourism-project-completed-in-odisha-minister/articleshow/122820746.cms

About the contributor: Rashmi Kumari is a Research Intern at IMPRI and a Master’s student in Economics at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune.

Acknowledgement: The author extends her sincere gratitude to the IMPRI team and Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja for her invaluable guidance throughout the process.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.