{"id":31241,"date":"2026-10-24T18:01:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T12:31:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=31241"},"modified":"2026-10-24T18:01:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T12:31:48","slug":"prashad-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/prashad-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"PRASHAD Scheme, Features, Objectives, Achievements"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive, or the PRASHAD Scheme, was launched by the Government of India in 2014\u201315 to promote integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations across the country. Implemented by the Ministry of Tourism as a Central Sector Scheme, it focuses on improving pilgrimage infrastructure, enhancing visitor amenities and preserving the spiritual and cultural significance of religious sites.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The PRASHAD Scheme supports facilities such as access roads, sanitation, lighting, interpretation centres and other essential services to improve the overall pilgrim experience. By combining heritage conservation with sustainable tourism development, PRASHAD seeks to strengthen local economies, generate employment and promote India\u2019s rich spiritual heritage. It also emphasises inclusive and well-planned destination development.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD Scheme Overview<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The full form of the PRASHAD Scheme is Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Launch:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 2014-15.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Nodal ministry:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ministry of Tourism.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Scheme type\/Funding:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Central Sector Scheme (100% Central Funding).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Primary focus:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Integrated tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Latest reported project count and estimated cost:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 54 sanctioned projects and \u20b91,726.74 crores.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD Scheme Features<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The PRASHAD Scheme follows a coordinated approach to destination development. It combines central financial assistance with state-level implementation, project approval, technical support and monitoring.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Integrated pilgrimage and heritage development<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The scheme supports improvements to the facilities surrounding pilgrimage and heritage destinations, rather than limiting intervention to the attraction itself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Visitor amenities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Tourist facilitation centres, parking facilities, ghats, sound-and-light shows and other visitor services.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sanitation and waste management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Infrastructure such as sanitation facilities and solid-waste management systems to improve site cleanliness.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Accessibility and safety:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Better visitor access and facilities, including CCTV installations where projects provide for them.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Environmental measures:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Solar panels and related interventions were included in sanctioned projects.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Local livelihoods:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Improved tourism facilities can create opportunities for local businesses, service providers and traditional crafts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Central funding and state responsibilities<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD is a Central Sector Scheme; however, states remain responsible for land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation, and long-term operation and maintenance of the infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>A milestone-linked funds release structure:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 30% after submission of the work order, 30% after the first utilisation certificate, 25% after the second utilisation certificate, 10% on completion and the final 5% after one year of successful operation and maintenance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD Scheme Objectives<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The PRASHAD Scheme aims to improve pilgrimage experiences while preserving the character of heritage destinations. Its objectives combine <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/infrastructure\/\" target=\"_blank\">infrastructure<\/a><\/strong>, tourism services, local participation and regional economic development.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Rejuvenate pilgrimage destinations:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Improve facilities at important religious and heritage sites while strengthening their significance as destinations for pilgrims and visitors.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Improve tourism infrastructure:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Bridge infrastructure gaps through facilities that improve visitor access, convenience, cleanliness, safety and the overall tourism experience.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promote pilgrimage and heritage tourism:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Make destinations more attractive and support tourism as a source of local economic activity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Generate local employment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Encourage livelihood opportunities for communities through tourism services, local businesses, crafts and related activities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Improve service quality:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Strengthen amenities and service delivery so that destinations can manage visitors more effectively.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Coordinate government efforts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Encourage convergence between Central and State initiatives and align projects with local infrastructure needs.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Support local culture:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Promote local arts, crafts and cultural traditions linked to pilgrimage and heritage destinations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ensure timely implementation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Use project monitoring and approval mechanisms to improve execution and track progress.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HRIDAY Scheme vs PRASHAD Scheme<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The HRIDAY scheme and the PRASHAD scheme both connect heritage-related development with better infrastructure, but their principal focus differs. HRIDAY addressed selected heritage cities, while PRASHAD focuses on tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage destinations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"width: 94.1885%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 13.6273%\"><b>Basis<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 38.1528%\"><b>HRIDAY Scheme<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 41.4228%\"><b>PRASHAD Scheme<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.6273%\">\r\n<p><b>Full form<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 38.1528%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.4228%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.6273%\">\r\n<p><b>Nodal ministry<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 38.1528%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ministry of Urban Development at launch (later, MoHUA)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.4228%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ministry of Tourism<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.6273%\">\r\n<p><b>Primary focus<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 38.1528%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Integrated development of heritage cities, including civic infrastructure and heritage conservation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.4228%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage destinations<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.6273%\">\r\n<p><b>Coverage<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 38.1528%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">12 selected heritage cities<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.4228%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Projects across multiple States and Union Territories<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.6273%\">\r\n<p><b>Main approach<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 38.1528%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heritage-sensitive urban planning, city infrastructure, access, information and local livelihoods<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.4228%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pilgrim amenities, sanitation, safety, visitor facilities, accessibility and service delivery<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.6273%\">\r\n<p><b>Mission status<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 38.1528%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ended on 31 March 2019 (Heritage component merged with PRASHAD)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.4228%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Government reporting in 2026 records continuing sanctioned-project activity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 13.6273%\">\r\n<p><b>Latest cited project data<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 38.1528%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">77 project entries and \u20b9453.90 crore allocated, as of February 2022<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 41.4228%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">54 projects sanctioned across 28 states\/UTs; estimated project cost \u20b91,726.74 crore as of February 2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD Scheme Achievements<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The PRASHAD Scheme has supported tourism infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage destinations across India. Recent government reports record sanctioned projects, completed works and improvements to visitor facilities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Out of the 54 sanctioned projects under the PRASHAD Scheme, 32 were physically completed as of December 2025.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Somnath Promenade:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The promenade project, costing around \u20b947.12 crore, is listed as completed in the government project record, strengthening Somnath as a major spiritual tourism destination.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Kedarnath:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Improvements in pilgrimage facilities, accessibility, sanitation, visitor services and tourism infrastructure across the Kedarnath circuit.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vishnupad Temple, Gaya:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Basic facilities at Vishnupad Temple are physically and financially 100% complete.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Amaravati and Kamakhya Temple:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The development of pilgrim amenities at Amaravati and Kamakhya Temple is physically and financially 100% complete.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">IIM Rohtak\u2019s 2021 evaluation of PRASHAD reported improvements in visitor satisfaction, ease of travel, aesthetic aspects and overall user experience at selected sites.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD Scheme Challenges<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD scheme implementation challenges relate to delays, state-level capacity, fund-release requirements, connectivity and long-term maintenance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Project delays:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Tendering delays, weak implementation capacity and shortcomings in project planning can slow execution.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Pending documentation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Delays in submitting utilisation certificates can hold up subsequent fund releases and complicate monitoring.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Last-mile connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Infrastructure at a religious destination may not deliver its full benefit if visitors cannot reach it conveniently from wider transport networks.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Maintenance responsibilities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Since states must arrange long-term operation and maintenance, facilities may require stronger financial and management planning after project completion.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Uneven progress across projects:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Substantial variation in the physical and financial progress of different projects.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For <\/span><b>example<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the Puri infrastructure project had \u20b950 crore approved and \u20b910 crore released, with physical progress reported at 27%, as of July 2025.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD Scheme Way Forward<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">PRASHAD-supported destinations need to be better connected, easier to maintain and more responsive to local communities. Stronger project preparation and monitoring can help translate sanctioned funding into lasting public benefits.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Improve project readiness:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Complete surveys, designs, tender documents and implementation plans before execution begins to reduce avoidable delays.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen monitoring:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> By closely following physical progress, financial progress, and utilisation certificates in relation to defined milestones, identify projects that are behind schedule at an early stage.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Improve connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Coordinate destination infrastructure with road, public transport and other relevant connectivity initiatives, including <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/pm-gati-shakti\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PM Gati Shakti<\/strong><\/a> where applicable.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Plan maintenance from the start:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> States and implementing agencies should define responsibility, recurring costs and sustainable revenue or partnership models before projects are completed.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Protect environmental quality:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Integrate waste management, sanitation and suitable green infrastructure into destination development.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Make local benefits visible:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Include local communities, artisans, small businesses and tourism workers in planning and service provision so that development supports employment and cultural continuity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Outcomes-based expenditure:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Monitor visitor convenience, safety, cleanliness, accessibility and community benefits alongside the number and cost of sanctioned projects.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The PRASHAD scheme of 2014-15 supports tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations through financial assistance to states\/UTs. Read about its features, objectives, and achievements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":31294,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,23],"tags":[2144,40,619],"class_list":["post-31241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-notes","category-upsc-art-culture-notes","tag-prashad-scheme","tag-quest","tag-upsc-art-and-culture-notes"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31241"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31302,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31241\/revisions\/31302"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}