One India, One Registration: A Big Step for Homestay Development
India’s tourism sector is entering a new phase. The Government has launched the One India, One Registration initiative under the NIDHI portal to make registering homestays easier and more transparent.
This reform is more than just paperwork. It is about creating a single, unified system to register homestays, whether they are in cities, rural villages, or remote tribal regions.
The Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India Homestay Establishments Scheme already classifies fully operational rooms into Gold and Silver categories. The classification is based on strict guidelines to ensure guests have a high-quality stay.
While there is no direct financial aid under this classification scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA) is filling that gap. This programme supports the creation of 1,000 homestays in tribal areas.
States and Union Territories can get up to ₹5 crore to set up 5–10 homestays per village across 5–6 village clusters. This targeted approach encourages community participation and preserves local heritage.
Mudra Loans to Empower Entrepreneurs
The 2025–26 Budget introduced a new lifeline for rural and tribal tourism entrepreneurs — collateral-free Mudra Loans for homestays.
This move aims to remove one of the biggest hurdles for small hospitality businesses: access to affordable finance. With Mudra support, rural entrepreneurs can upgrade existing properties or build new guest accommodations that meet tourism standards.
NIDHI Portal: The Backbone of the Initiative
The National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI) portal is not a booking platform. Instead, it acts as a central repository of registered and classified hospitality units.
It allows policymakers to get a clear picture of India’s hospitality infrastructure. By knowing where homestays are and what facilities they offer, the government can plan better infrastructure and marketing support.
Key Facts from the PIB Release
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Homestay classification: Gold and Silver categories under Incredible India Homestay Establishments Scheme.
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PM-JUGA support: ₹5 crore assistance for clusters of homestays in tribal areas.
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Mudra loans: Collateral-free credit for homestay development announced in Budget 2025–26.
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NIDHI portal: Centralised database, not a booking engine.
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Scope: Includes rural, tribal, and urban homestay units.
Why This Matters for India’s Tourism
Homestays are more than places to sleep. They are cultural gateways. They give tourists an authentic experience while directly benefiting local families.
For rural and tribal communities, homestays can be game-changers. They bring in steady income, create jobs, and encourage young people to stay in their hometowns rather than migrate for work.
The One India, One Registration initiative ensures that all these units are visible at the national level. This transparency helps in better marketing and quality control.
Challenges Ahead
While the framework is strong, there are challenges to address:
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Ensuring all eligible homestays register on NIDHI.
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Providing training in hospitality and marketing for rural hosts.
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Maintaining high quality standards consistently across diverse regions.
However, with the combined power of PM-JUGA, Mudra loans, and a streamlined registration process, these challenges can be tackled effectively.
Looking Ahead
The Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, emphasised in the Lok Sabha that this step is part of a larger vision — to make India a global leader in sustainable, inclusive tourism.
By integrating data, finance, and policy support, the One India, One Registration system could become a model for other developing nations.