Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida on Tuesday unveiled the guidelines for the Baristha Nagarik Tirtha Yatra Yojana 2026-27, formally launching the implementation process for the state's flagship pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens.

The guidelines were released during a press conference at Paryatan Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

Addressing the media, Parida said the scheme reflects the State Government's commitment to enabling senior citizens to undertake pilgrimages to revered religious destinations across the country with dignity, safety and government support.

According to the Tourism Department, applications for the 2026-27 edition of the scheme will be accepted from July 15 to August 14, 2026.

Eligible senior citizens can apply online through the official portal, yatra.odisha.gov.in, or submit applications through the prescribed offline mode as outlined in the guidelines.

The newly released guidelines provide details on eligibility criteria, the application process, selection procedure and other operational aspects of the scheme.

The department said that since the launch of the Baristha Nagarik Tirtha Yatra Yojana, more than 45,555 senior citizens have benefited from the initiative by undertaking pilgrimages to various religious destinations across India.

The press conference was attended by Tourism Commissioner-cum-Secretary Balwant Singh, Tourism Director Deepankar Mohapatra, IRCTC Bhubaneswar Regional Officer Anuj Dutta, along with senior officials of the Tourism Department and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).