SASCI Scheme

SASCI Scheme: Transforming Indian Tourism to Global Standards

The Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale (SASCI) is a significant initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to upgrade select Indian tourist destinations into world-class attractions by 2026.

Objective and Implementation

The main objective of SASCI is to transform iconic Indian tourism sites into globally benchmarked destinations, enhancing tourist experiences, attracting investment, and boosting competitiveness. The scheme is centrally funded but executed by State Governments, ensuring cooperative federalism. States propose projects which are evaluated based on connectivity, ecological sustainability, existing infrastructure, carrying capacity, management models, and marketing plans. Approved projects must be implemented within two years from sanction.

Key Features

SASCI focuses on:

* Comprehensive development covering physical infrastructure, services, and immersive experiences.
* Strengthening tourism value chain including planning for sustainability, connectivity, branding, and operations.
* Harnessing expertise for design, branding, and management of sites.
* Digital and global promotion through domestic and international campaigns, social media, and events.

Significance

The scheme is expected to boost India’s tourism-driven economy, create local employment opportunities, and enhance the nation’s global image as a culturally rich and infrastructure-ready destination.

Through SASCI, India envisions transforming its iconic tourist sites into globally competitive attractions, thereby strengthening the tourism sector and fostering inclusive development by empowering State Governments with resources, expertise, and strategic guidance.