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Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Buddhist Circuit as 1st Trans-National Route Under IRCTC's 20% Discount Package

Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
25 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:2014-1576 projects₹5,290.33 Crore20% discount7 nights/8 days15 themes
Bodies:Ministry of TourismIRCTC
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Ministry of Tourism, under Swadesh Darshan Scheme (2014-15), designated the Buddhist Circuit as India's first transnational tourist circuit, covering sites in India and Nepal.

2.IRCTC announced a 20% discount on its 7-night/8-day Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train package, covering key sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Lumbini, and Kushinagar.

3.Union Budget 2026 proposed a new Scheme for Development of Buddhist Circuits in six Northeastern states, highlighting Theravada and Mahayana traditions.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Buddhist Circuit, designated as India's first transnational tourist circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, is central to promoting religious tourism and projecting India as the birthplace of Buddhism. Recent developments like a 20% IRCTC discount and a new Northeastern circuit proposal in Budget 2026 make it a high-yield topic for exams covering culture, tourism policy, and ancient history.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Swadesh Darshan Launch Year2014-15
Total Projects Sanctioned76 projects
Total Sanctioned Amount₹5,290.33 Crore
IRCTC Discount Offer20% discount
Tour Duration7 nights / 8 days
Number of Themes Identified15 themes

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Swadesh Darshan Launch Year: 2014-15
  • ›Total Projects Sanctioned: 76 projects
  • ›Target this Data: Swadesh Darshan Scheme launched in 2014-15 with 76 projects worth ₹5,290.33 Crore.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Tourism is the implementing ministry for Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
  • ›Target this Scheme: Buddhist Circuit is the first transnational tourist circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is responsible for the Swadesh Darshan Scheme under which the Buddhist Circuit was developed?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Buddhist Circuit and Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

1. The Buddhist Circuit is India's first transnational tourist circuit, covering sites in India and Nepal.

2. The Swadesh Darshan Scheme provides 100% central funding for the development of identified thematic circuits.

3. Union Budget 2026 proposed a new Buddhist Circuit development scheme for the seven sister states of Northeast India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, how many thematic circuits have been identified for development?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective behind the government's focus on developing the Buddhist Circuit as a transnational tourist route?

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