Published: 26 February 2026Rajasthan Current AffairsRajasthan
Rajasthan Homestay Policy 2026 Notified: Max Rooms Raised to 8, Owner Residence Clause Removed to Boost Rural Tourism
The Government of Rajasthan notified the Rajasthan Homestay (Paying Guest House) Scheme 2026 in February 2026, introducing significant reforms to decentralise tourism, promote rural employment, and provide authentic cultural experiences to visitors. The scheme is part of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's broader tourism promotion agenda aligned with the Rajasthan Investment Summit and the state's Tourism Policy 2024.
Key changes under the new scheme include: (i) maximum rooms per homestay unit increased from 5 to 8, with bed capacity raised to 24; (ii) removal of the mandatory owner residence requirement — enabling rural households, women entrepreneurs, and small property owners who do not permanently reside on premises to register their properties; (iii) online registration via a one-window system with reduced documentation; and (iv) faster approvals to encourage broader participation from remote and rural areas.
The scheme is designed to support community-based tourism in Rajasthan's heritage zones — including Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Udaipur, and the Hadoti region — and tribal areas of the Scheduled Tribes-dominated districts of Banswara, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh. By expanding the homestay supply chain, the policy aims to reduce concentration of tourist revenue in urban luxury hotels and channel it toward grassroots entrepreneurship, especially among women and SC/ST communities. The scheme aligns with the Central Government's 'Dekho Apna Desh' initiative.
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Under the Rajasthan Homestay (Paying Guest House) Scheme, 2026, what is the maximum number of rooms allowed in an eligible homestay unit?
Explanation · Correct answer AThe Rajasthan Homestay (Paying Guest House) Scheme, 2026 allows eligible furnished residential premises to apply for homestay registration with a minimum of one room and a maximum of eight rooms, with a cap of 24 beds. Therefore, the correct ceiling for rooms is 8, not the older 5-room limit or the larger guest-house-style numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What are the two key changes introduced by Rajasthan's Homestay Policy 2026 compared to earlier policy?
Rajasthan's Homestay Policy 2026 made two landmark changes: (1) it raised the maximum permitted rooms in a registered homestay from 5 to 8, allowing property owners to accommodate more guests and generate higher revenue; and (2) it removed the mandatory owner-residence clause, meaning the property owner no longer needs to live on-site. Previously, the owner had to reside in the homestay property, which excluded absentee rural landowners and urban investors from the scheme.
How does removing the owner-residence clause specifically benefit women entrepreneurs and rural households?
Many rural women in Rajasthan own or co-own ancestral property but live away with their marital families, or own property that they cannot permanently occupy due to livelihood constraints. By removing the residence requirement, the policy allows them to register their vacant havelis, farm houses, or traditional homes as homestays without needing to physically relocate. This unlocks an income stream from idle heritage and rural property, advancing women's economic empowerment and financial independence.
What is the significance of tourism as a sector in Rajasthan's economy?
Tourism is Rajasthan's second largest economic sector after agriculture, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. Rajasthan attracts approximately 5 crore domestic tourists and over 15 lakh international tourists annually. Key tourism assets include Jaipur (Pink City), Udaipur (City of Lakes), Jodhpur, Jaisalmer (desert tourism), Ranthambore (wildlife), and tribal tourism circuits in Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh. The homestay policy targets inclusion of smaller villages and tribal districts in this economic benefit.
How does Rajasthan's Homestay Policy 2026 align with central government schemes?
The policy aligns with two central government schemes: (1) Swadesh Darshan 2.0 — the Ministry of Tourism's revamped scheme focusing on theme-based tourism circuits including tribal, rural, and heritage circuits, for which homestays are a critical accommodation component; and (2) PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) — which develops infrastructure at major pilgrimage and heritage sites where homestay accommodation can supplement hotel capacity and provide authentic local experiences.
What are the registration and regulatory requirements for homestays under Rajasthan's 2026 policy?
Under the 2026 policy, homestays must register with the District Tourism Office. The process involves basic safety certification (fire safety, hygiene standards), a one-time fee, and annual renewal. Registered properties qualify for listing on the Rajasthan Tourism portal and IRCTC's homestay aggregation platform, giving them national visibility. The policy also allows homestays to serve food to guests without requiring a separate FSSAI restaurant licence, making compliance easier for rural operators unfamiliar with regulatory requirements.
