AI SummaryRajasthan government's Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana offers free pilgrimage tours to famous religious places in India and Nepal for senior citizens aged 60 years and above. The scheme is run by the Devasthan Department and registrations are done online through the official website devasthan.rajasthan.gov.in.
For the 2026-27 cycle, the government plans to send 56,000 senior citizens on free pilgrimage, with 50,000 traveling by train and 6,000 by air. Online applications for this cycle were opened on 27 May 2026 and remained open for 15 days.
What is Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana?
Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana is a main welfare scheme launched by the Rajasthan Government for senior citizens. The scheme helps fulfill the spiritual wishes of the elderly (60 years and above) by giving them a completely free pilgrimage to well-known religious destinations across India and even abroad (Nepal). All travel, stay, meals, and local transport costs are fully paid by the government under this scheme.
Under the Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana, each selected beneficiary can also take an assistant along, making sure of comfort and safety during the trip. The whole process, from application to selection and travel, is done clearly through online registration and lottery-based selection of beneficiaries.
Highlights of Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana 2026
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana |
| Year | 2026-27 |
| Registration | Online at devasthan.rajasthan.gov.in |
| Benefits | Free pilgrimage by train or flight to top religious places |
| Eligibility | Senior citizens (60+), Rajasthan residents |
| Total Beneficiaries | 56,000 (50,000 by train, 6,000 by air) |
| Official Department | Rajasthan Devasthan Department |
| Helpline Numbers | 0294-2410330 |
Benefits of Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana
Senior citizens selected under the Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana receive the following benefits completely free:
- Free travel (train or flight) to selected pilgrimage sites
- Free accommodation during the journey
- Free meals and refreshments
- Free local transportation and sightseeing at the pilgrimage site
- Support and escort during travel
All arrangements are made by the Rajasthan Government.
List of Pilgrimage Destinations Covered Under Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana
By Train
- Haridwar–Rishikesh–Ayodhya–Varanasi–Sarnath
- Sammed Shikhar–Pawapuri–Varanasi–Sarnath
- Mathura–Vrindavan–Barsana–Agra–Ayodhya
- Dwarkapuri–Nageshwar–Somnath
- Tirupati–Padmavati
- Kamakhya–Guwahati
- Gangasagar–Kolkata
- Jagannathpuri–Konark
- Rameshwaram–Madurai
- Vaishnodevi–Amritsar–Wagah Border
- Temples of Goa and other discussed places
- Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain–Omkareshwar–Trimbakeshwar–Ghrishneshwar–Ellora
- Bihar–Sharif
- Patna Sahib, Patna, Bihar
- Shri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra
By Air
Under the air travel option, senior citizens are taken to places like Pashupatinath in Kathmandu (Nepal) and other selected religious destinations. The list of air travel destinations is shared by the Devasthan Department when the applications open.
Devasthan Department may include or exclude certain destinations from the above list. Depending on circumstances, the fixed place of pilgrimage or departure may also be changed. In special situations, the department reserves the right to change the departure/destination or to arrange travel by luxury bus if the number of travelers is less or due to distance.
Also read: Rajasthan Income Certificate Form
Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana Online Registration Process
If you want to register online for this scheme, follow the step by step process given below.
STEP 1: Visit the official Rajasthan Devasthan Department portal at devasthan.rajasthan.gov.in and click on the link for "Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana Registration 2026".
STEP 2: On the next page, click on "वरिष्ठ नागरिक तीर्थ यात्रा योजना" option from the quick links.
STEP 3: Now click on "Tirth Yatra Avedan" on the next page as shown in the image below.
STEP 4: Now enter your Jan Aadhaar ID (required for this registration) and click the "Search" button.
STEP 5: A list of all the members will be shown. Click on the "Choose" button in front of the name of the applicant and fill in all the details and choose your preferred pilgrimage destination. Some information in the registration form will be filled automatically from the data of your Jan Aadhaar.
STEP 6: Upload all required documents as mentioned and click "Submit" to submit your application form.
STEP 7: Wait for the selection process, which is done via lottery. Beneficiaries selected will be informed on their registered mobile number.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana 2026, the following eligibility criteria has to be fulfilled.
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of Rajasthan and must be 60 years or older as of 1st April 2026 (born on or before 1st April 1966).
- The applicant and their spouse should not be income tax payers.
- The applicant must not have previously availed benefits under the Rajasthan Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana.
- If the applicant or spouse has already traveled as a beneficiary under this scheme in any year, they are not eligible to apply again.
- A self-declaration regarding not having availed the scheme earlier must be given.
- If the applicant breaks any rule or misuses the benefit, they will be required to pay 25% of the total expenses as a penalty, and government recovery action may be taken.
- People who receive any pension or allowance for daily living are not eligible for this scheme.
- The applicant should be physically and mentally fit for the journey, and must not suffer from any infectious disease (like TB), serious heart disease, respiratory problems, mental illness, or other major health issues.
- A medical fitness certificate from a registered doctor must be uploaded with the application.
- Applicants who applied in previous years but were not selected are eligible to apply again.
- If there are vacant seats during train or air travel, eligible applicants may be considered for those seats, but final permission will be given by the scheme authorities after verification.
- If an applicant was selected in the lottery in previous years but did not complete the journey, they cannot apply again.
- Applicants or their spouse who are government employees or pensioners (from central, state, or local bodies) are not eligible for this scheme.
Required Documents
Applicants must keep the following documents ready at the time of online registration:
- Residence proof of Rajasthan (such as domicile certificate)
- Jan Aadhaar Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Medical certificate (as per scheme rules)
- Active mobile number
Selection Process under the Scheme
- District-wise Quota:
- Each district is given a fixed quota of pilgrims based on the population and number of applications. If applications exceed the quota, selection is done through a computerized lottery (Draw of Lots).
- Waiting Lists:
- Along with the main list, a waiting list of up to 100% extra applicants is created.
- An additional waiting list (up to another 100%) may also be made if required.
- Vacant Seats:
- If a selected applicant does not travel, people from the waiting or additional waiting list will be given a chance, based on availability.
- For vacant seats during train/air journey, eligible applicants from the waiting list can be allowed to travel with approval from the authorities.
- Lottery Process:
- While drawing the lottery, the spouse or helper is counted as one with the applicant.
- Only the number of applicants matching the available berths/seats will be sent.
- Separate Lotteries:
- Separate lotteries are drawn for train and air travelers.
- First, the air travel lottery is drawn, and then the remaining seats are filled from the train lottery.
- Publication of Results:
- The lists of selected applicants and the waiting lists are published on the Devasthan Department portal, district collector's office notice boards, and other suitable mediums.
- Travel Restriction:
- Only the person whose name is selected can go for the journey. No extra person can accompany except the registered helper/spouse.
- Special Cases:
- If husband and wife both applied separately and only one is selected in the lottery, the other may be allowed to travel as a helper, at the discretion of the authorities.
Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana 2026 Guidelines PDF
You can download the complete guidelines of the scheme from the official portal in Hindi PDF format using the link below:
Download Guidelines PDF in Hindi
Contacts and Helpline Numbers
Scheme Helpline Numbers: 0294-2410330
Scheme Helpdesk Email: hq.dev@rajasthan.gov.in
District-Wise Helpline Numbers and Email ID's
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form | Click Here |
| Application Status | Check Status |
| Medical Certificate Format | Download |
| Official Guidelines | Read Here |
| Eligibility Criteria | Download |
| Registration Manual | Download |
| Application Form for Train Journey | Download |
FAQ's
Who can apply for Varishth Nagrik Tirth Yatra Yojana 2026?
Any senior citizen (60+ years), resident of Rajasthan, who is not an income tax payer and has both COVID vaccine doses.
How many times can a person avail the benefit?
Only once in a lifetime.
Can an assistant accompany the beneficiary?
Yes, eligible senior citizens can take an assistant with them on the train journey. For air travel, no helper is allowed.
What are the main documents required for application?
Residence proof, Jan Aadhaar Card, Aadhaar Card, medical certificate, and mobile number.
How are the beneficiaries selected?
Selection is done via a lottery system and applicants are informed through SMS.