PRASAD Scheme
Art & Culture › Miscellaneous · Topic 11.18
PRASAD is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, launched in 2014-15, for the integrated development of pilgrimage and heritage destinations. The name stands for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive, and since 2017 the ministry styles it PRASHAD, with Heritage added to the title. It first named 12 cities, including Amritsar, Ajmer, Dwarka, Gaya, Kamakhya, Kanchipuram, Kedarnath, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Amaravati and Velankanni. Parliamentary replies in late 2025 reported 54 projects in 28 states and union territories, though totals change with each reply.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Miscellaneous
At a Glance
- Ministry Tourism
- Launched 2014-15
- Type Central sector scheme
- Focus Pilgrimage and heritage towns
- First list 12 cities
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Miscellaneous
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the circuit scheme of the same ministry. Where the earlier scheme links themes across regions, this one improves the visitor experience in individual pilgrimage towns. Previous topic: SWADESH DARSHAN. Next topic: Survey of India Ministry Culture Number identified 100 monuments First batch 25 sites, December 2014 Aim Visitor…">Adarsh Smarak Yojana.
Which Were the First Cities Under PRASAD?
| City | State | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Amritsar | Punjab | Golden Temple, the main Sikh shrine |
| Ajmer | Rajasthan | Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti |
| Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | Buddhist stupa site and Amareswara temple |
| Dwarka | Gujarat | Dwarkadhish temple, a Char Dham site |
| Gaya | Bihar | Pind daan and Vishnupad temple |
| Kamakhya | Assam | Shakti shrine on the Nilachal hill, Guwahati |
| Kanchipuram | Tamil Nadu | Temple city, one of the seven sacred cities |
| Kedarnath | Uttarakhand | Jyotirlinga and a Char Dham site of the Himalaya |
| Mathura | Uttar Pradesh | Birthplace of Krishna |
| Puri | Odisha | Jagannath temple and Rath Yatra |
| Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | Ganga ghats and Kashi Vishwanath |
| Velankanni | Tamil Nadu | Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health |
What Does the Scheme Fund?
- Core works: entry points, last-mile links, ghats, wayside amenities, signage, lighting, cloak rooms, toilets and information kiosks
- Nature of funding: the centre meets the cost of sanctioned components as a central sector scheme, and states or union territories carry out the projects
- Selection: destinations are chosen through a national pilgrimage and heritage list prepared by a ministry committee in consultation with states
- Heritage addition: the addition of heritage in the title widened the aim from pilgrim facilities to local culture and architecture
- Reported progress: a ministry reply in October 2025 reported 54 projects sanctioned in 28 states and union territories, costing about Rs 1,727 crore
- Site list: earlier replies spoke of 29 sites identified, with new additions over time. Treat counts as approximate
- Sustained cycle: the scheme is open ended in practice, with sanctions continuing as states send proposals, so check the latest reply
What Else Should You Remember?
- Launch: PRASAD was announced as a part of the push on pilgrimage tourism in 2014-15, together with the circuit scheme
- Name: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive, later written as PRASHAD with the ministry giving Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive
- Spiritual links: the scheme includes Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, Christian and Jain sites, showing the multi-faith design
- Circuit link: general routes are covered under Swadesh Darshan
- Heritage towns: urban heritage conservation of a related type was attempted in HRIDAY
- Museums: town museums and interpretation centres sometimes sit alongside, as in Museums of India (National Museum, Indian Museum Kolkata, Salar Jung Museum)
- Visitors: domestic pilgrims form the largest share of tourist visits in India, which is why pilgrim facilities have high public value
- Governance: a state level empowered committee reviews works, while the ministry monitors utilisation
- Criticism: incomplete works, delays in land and clearances, weak crowd management and possible commercialisation of sacred spaces
- Safeguards: ASI protected monuments need permission before any new construction near them, under the AMASR Act
- Newer corridors: large temple corridors in recent years were built by states, with some support from this scheme
- Other faiths: Ajmer Sharif for Muslims, Amritsar for Sikhs, Velankanni for Christians and Gaya and Amaravati for Buddhists show the inclusive reach
- Climate risk: Himalayan sites such as Kedarnath face landslide and flood risk, so works there need geological checks and light, low impact design
- Disclaimer: scheme status and counts are as reported in Parliament replies in 2025 and early 2026
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Full form: questions ask the expansion of PRASAD
- Ministry: Tourism, not Culture
- First list: matching cities with states, such as Dwarka with Gujarat
- Funding: central sector, 100 percent central funds for sanctioned components
- Common errors: confusing PRASAD with Swadesh Darshan or HRIDAY
As an analytical point, pilgrimage tourism needs a balance between faith, local community and the environment. Crowd management, sanitation and regulated development around shrines protect both visitors and the heritage character of the town.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Scheme facts Ministry, full form and list
- Geography Cities and states
- Mains Pilgrimage economy and heritage
What Came Next?
The next topic covers an initiative of the Archaeological Survey of India for amenities at monuments. Next topic: Adarsh Smarak Yojana.
Key People and Terms
- PRASAD Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive
- PRASHAD Later style with Heritage
- Central sector scheme Fully centrally funded
- Last-mile link Final approach to a site
- Char Dham Four sacred sites
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Launched 2014-15 by Ministry of Tourism.
- First list: 12 cities.
- Full form: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive.
- Later official style: PRASHAD.
- About 54 projects in 28 states and union territories as reported in October 2025; hedge counts.
Do Not Confuse With
- PRASAD and Swadesh Darshan Pilgrimage towns versus theme circuits
- PRASAD and HRIDAY Tourism ministry versus urban heritage city scheme
- PRASAD and Char Dham project Tourism scheme versus road project
Memory Hook
Prasad is offered at the shrine: twelve towns first, then fifty-four projects.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about faith based tourism and heritage. These points give a balanced frame.
- Benefits Facilities, jobs, local crafts
- Risks Overcrowding, commercialisation
- Reform Carrying capacity, local involvement
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss how pilgrimage tourism schemes can strengthen heritage conservation and local livelihoods without harming the sanctity and ecology of sacred places.”
How to Answer
- Introduce Name the scheme and aim.
- Benefits Facilities, income, awareness.
- Concerns Crowds, ecology, sanctity.
- Way Planned capacity, community role.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full form of PRASAD scheme?
PRASAD stands for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive. It is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism launched in 2014-15. The ministry later styled it PRASHAD, adding Heritage to the title to stress that it also supports heritage towns.
Which cities were first selected under PRASAD?
The first list had 12 cities: Amritsar, Ajmer, Amaravati, Dwarka, Gaya, Kamakhya, Kanchipuram, Kedarnath, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi and Velankanni. They cover several faiths and regions, and each state or union territory implements its own works.
Which ministry runs PRASAD?
The Ministry of Tourism runs it as a central sector scheme, which means the centre meets the cost of sanctioned components. The state or union territory government, or an agency, carries out the works, such as ghats, signage, lighting, toilets and wayside amenities.
How many projects has PRASAD sanctioned?
A ministry reply in October 2025 reported 54 projects sanctioned in 28 states and union territories, worth about Rs 1,727 crore. Counts change with each reply, so the figure should be treated as approximate and checked against the latest parliamentary answer.
How is PRASAD different from Swadesh Darshan?
PRASAD improves facilities in individual pilgrimage and heritage towns, such as Puri or Ajmer. Swadesh Darshan develops theme-based circuits linking many destinations, such as the Buddhist or coastal circuit. Both are central sector schemes of the Ministry of Tourism.
What is the latest status of PRASAD scheme?
As of November 2026 the latest figure found was from an October 2025 ministry reply, which reported 54 projects sanctioned in 28 states and union territories, costing about Rs 1,727 crore. The scheme is now styled PRASHAD, and counts change often, so hedge and check recent replies.
Why is PRASAD scheme important for UPSC?
PRASAD is important for UPSC because Prelims ask its full form, the ministry, the funding pattern and the first 12 cities with their states. Mains ask how pilgrimage tourism can be developed without harming sanctity, ecology and local communities, often in answers on heritage and tourism.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 PRASAD is a scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
It targets pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
2 Ajmer was among the first cities named under PRASAD.
Along with Amritsar, Puri and others.
3 PRASAD is a centrally sponsored scheme with equal sharing between centre and states.
It is a central sector scheme.
4 PRASAD stands for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive.
Later styled PRASHAD.
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