Tourism Ministry: 75 Swadesh Darshan projects completed; 20.57 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2024
The Ministry of Tourism's year-end review on 8 January 2026 said 75 of 76 projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme (launched January 2015) are complete, and reported 20.57 million international tourist arrivals and ₹2,93,033 crore in foreign exchange earnings in 2024.
Summary
The Ministry of Tourism's year-end review released on 8 January 2026 said 75 projects have been physically completed out of 76 sanctioned for ₹5,290.33 crore under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, launched in January 2015 to develop theme-based tourist circuits. The scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, under which Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) is a sub-scheme, and the ministry will develop 1,000 tribal homestays under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA). India recorded 20.57 million international tourist arrivals, ₹2,93,033 crore in foreign exchange earnings from tourism and 2,948.19 million domestic tourist visits in 2024.
Key facts
- Swadesh Darshan
- Launched January 2015; theme-based tourist circuits
- Projects
- 76 sanctioned (₹5,290.33 crore); 75 completed
- Revamp
- Swadesh Darshan 2.0; CBDD sub-scheme
- Tribal homestays
- 1,000 under PM-JUGA
- 2024 data
- ITAs 20.57 million; FEEs ₹2,93,033 crore; DTVs 2,948.19 million
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In which year was the Swadesh Darshan scheme for theme-based tourist circuits launched?
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Correct answer: B — 2015
PIB (Tourism): the Ministry of Tourism launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in January 2015.
How many international tourist arrivals did India record in 2024, according to the Tourism Ministry's year-end review?
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Correct answer: C — 20.57 million
PIB (Tourism): International Tourist Arrivals in India during 2024 were 20.57 million.
Consider the following statements based on the Tourism Ministry's year-end review (January 2026): 1. Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) is a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0. 2. The ministry will develop 1,000 tribal homestays under PM-JUGA. 3. All 76 projects sanctioned under the original Swadesh Darshan scheme have been completed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Tourism): statements 1 and 2 are correct; 75 of the 76 sanctioned projects have been completed, so statement 3 is wrong.