Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana 2026-27: Apply Online at yatra.odisha.gov.in, Eligibility, Documents, Last Date

Odisha government has opened applications for Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana 2026-27 from 15 July 2026. Senior citizens of the state aged 60 to 75 years can apply online at yatra.odisha.gov.in till 14 August 2026 for a free pilgrimage trip to famous religious places across India. Offline applications are also accepted as per the new guidelines.

Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida released the guidelines for the 2026-27 edition on 14 July 2026 at Paryatan Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. Since the scheme started in February 2016, more than 45,555 senior citizens of Odisha have completed their Tirtha Yatra under it. Tourism Department runs the scheme along with IRCTC, which manages the train journey, food and stay of the pilgrims.

Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana 2026-27

Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) is a pilgrimage scheme of Tourism Department, Government of Odisha. Under this scheme, the state government takes selected senior citizens on a free Tirtha Darshan to major pilgrimage centres of the country in special trains. The scheme is open to poor and deprived senior citizens of all religions and regions of Odisha. A person can take this benefit only once in a lifetime.

Going on a pilgrimage is a lifelong wish for many elderly people. But travel, food and stay cost a lot, and most poor families cannot afford it. This scheme covers the full cost of the journey for the selected pilgrims, so money does not come in the way of their Tirtha Darshan.

How to Apply Online for Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana 2026-27

Application process is online through the official OTTSMS portal (Odisha Tourism Travel and Scheme Management System). You only need a mobile number, as login works through OTP. There is no password to remember. Follow the steps below.

STEP 1 - Open the official portal yatra.odisha.gov.in on your mobile or computer. On the first screen, select the scheme "BNTYY 2026-27" from the Choose Travel Scheme dropdown and click on the Proceed button.

STEP 2 - New users have to register first. Click on the Sign Up link given below the login form. Read the disclaimer points carefully and tick the checkbox to accept the conditions. Now enter your correct name and 10-digit mobile number, then click on Send OTP. An OTP will come on your mobile by SMS.

STEP 3 - Enter the OTP in the given box and click on Sign Up. A "Registered successfully" message will appear on the screen. Your registration on the portal is now complete.

STEP 4 - Now log in with your mobile number and OTP. After login, select your Domicile District. The portal will show your boarding station, trip details and tentative journey dates. Check these details and click on Next.

STEP 5 - Select the application type. Two options are given, Individual and Couple. If you want to travel alone, select Individual. If you and your spouse want to travel together, select Couple. If you pick the wrong option by mistake, the portal lets you switch the application type easily.

STEP 6 - Fill the application form. Enter personal details like name, father or husband name, gender, date of birth and blood group, and upload a passport size photo. Then fill your address details (rural or urban, district, block, gram panchayat or ward). In the identification section, enter your Aadhaar number, select identity proof type and upload the document, and also upload family category proof (EWS). Finally, give your mobile number, alternate number and email in the communication section.

STEP 7 - For couple applications, a second tab opens for spouse details. Fill the spouse name, date of birth, Aadhaar number, blood group, photo and upload the marriage proof document. A couple's joint application is treated as one application.

STEP 8 - Applicants aged 70 to 75 years get an option to take an attendant along. If you select Yes, fill the attendant's personal and address details and the payment details, since the attendant has to pay 50% of the travel cost. Payment can be made online or through a bank draft drawn in favour of the Director, Tourism, payable at Bhubaneswar.

STEP 9 - Check all the details once and click on Submit. A confirmation message will flash on the screen along with your Registration Number. Note down this number safely, as it is needed to track your application later. You can also use the Save as Draft button anytime to pause and complete the form later.

For screen-wise help with pictures, you can download the official user manual from yatra.odisha.gov.in/Usermanual.pdf. It shows every screen of the registration and application process.

Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana Highlights

Eligibility for BNTYY 2026-27

Before applying, check whether you meet the conditions of the scheme. The main eligibility rules are given below.

• Age: Applicant must be above 60 years and within 75 years of age. Age is counted as per the date of birth in Aadhaar or other identity proof.
• Residence: Applicant must be a resident of Odisha. The scheme is open to people of all regions and faiths of the state.
• Family category: Scheme is meant for poor and deprived sections of society, so family category proof (EWS) has to be uploaded with the application.
• One time benefit: A pilgrim can take the benefit of this journey only once in their lifetime. Those who have already travelled under BNTYY earlier cannot apply again.
• Couple rule: A married couple can apply jointly. Their joint application is counted as one application, and it stays valid even if one of the spouses is below 60 years of age.
• Attendant rule: Applicants above 70 years can bring one attendant. The attendant must be above 18 years and has to pay 50% of the travel cost.

Documents Required

Keep scanned copies of these documents ready before starting the online form, so that the application can be completed in one go.

• Aadhaar number of the applicant, and of the spouse in case of a couple application.
• Identity proof document, as per the identity proof type selected in the form.
• Family category proof (EWS) document to show the applicant belongs to a poor or deprived family.
• Passport size photo of the applicant, spouse and attendant, whoever is travelling.
• Marriage proof document, needed only for couple applications.
• Mobile number for OTP based registration and login.
• Bank draft details (bank name, 6-digit draft number, draft date and DD copy), needed only when an attendant is travelling and payment is made through demand draft.

Selection Process and Journey

Every district of Odisha gets a fixed quota of pilgrims. If applications in a district are more than its quota, selection is done through a draw of lots. So applying does not guarantee a seat, but every eligible applicant gets a fair chance.

After selection, the district administration arranges transport for the selected pilgrims from their homes or district headquarters to the boarding station, and back after the journey. IRCTC handles the train journey, food, stay and darshan arrangements at the pilgrimage places. Officials and support staff travel with the group for help during the journey. Tourism Department of Odisha also runs other schemes like the Odisha Homestay Scheme to promote tourism in the state.

FAQ's

What is the last date to apply for Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana 2026-27?

Applications are open from 15 July 2026 to 14 August 2026. Eligible senior citizens should apply online at yatra.odisha.gov.in within this period.

Who can apply under BNTYY 2026-27?

Senior citizens of Odisha above 60 years and within 75 years of age, belonging to poor and deprived families, can apply. The benefit is given only once in a lifetime.

Can a couple apply together in this scheme?

Yes. A married couple can apply jointly, and it is treated as one application. The application stays valid even if one spouse is below 60 years of age.

Can an attendant travel with the pilgrim?

Applicants aged 70 to 75 years can take one attendant. The attendant must be above 18 years and has to pay 50% of the travel cost online or through a bank draft in favour of the Director, Tourism, payable at Bhubaneswar.

Is there any application fee?

No. Registration and application on yatra.odisha.gov.in is free. Only the attendant has to pay 50% of the travel cost, and that too only when an attendant is travelling with the pilgrim.