Bhubaneswar: In a magnificent effort to fulfill the lifelong spiritual dreams of senior citizens, the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, has officially launched the registrations framework for the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) 2026. Working in absolute partnership alongside the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), this completely free, state-sponsored pilgrimage scheme guarantees comfortable, well-managed spiritual journeys across prominent religious heritage sites in India.
Official Application Window
July 15, 2026, to August 14, 2026
Eligibility & Ineligibility Conditions
Who Can Apply (Eligibility Criteria)
Age Limitation
Applicants must be senior citizens residing in the state of Odisha, aged between 60 to 75 years at the time of calculation.
Escort Provision
Applicants aged 70 to 75 years can include one companion/escort (aged 21 or older) to assist them throughout the tour.
Health Status
Applicants must be physically and mentally fit to travel by train and must produce a verified certificate of good health.
Who Cannot Apply (Ineligibility Conditions)
Income Tax Payers
Any individual or family who falls under the income tax-paying bracket is strictly **ineligible** for this scheme.
Government Pensioners
Retired employees or officers from Government, Semi-Government, or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) **cannot apply**.
Specified Illnesses
Individuals suffering from active infectious diseases, advanced cardiac ailments, severe respiratory conditions, or major mental illness are **restricted** for safety reasons.
What is Provided Under the Scheme?
The scheme is **completely free of cost** for the selected senior citizens. The state government will manage and provide the following high-quality services:
- Free Rail Travel: Standard accommodation in customized 2nd Class Sleeper trains managed in coordination with IRCTC.
- Complimentary Boarding & Lodging: Safe, clean stay facilities and hotels arranged at each religious destination.
- Healthy Catering: Daily vegetarian breakfasts, lunches, and dinners provided during transit and intermediate stays.
- Local Road Transport: Dedicated bus networks for pick-and-drop transfers between railway stations, hotels, and temple sites.
- Medical Assistance: A professional team consisting of medical officers, emergency nurses, and first-aid boxes will travel on the train.
- Security and Guides: Institutional security personnel and travel guides will be allocated to assist pilgrims at every checkpoint.
Step-by-Step Application Framework
Method A: Online Application Process
Navigate to the designated portal yatra.odisha.gov.in inside the active dates framework.
Enter the applicant’s complete name, age, address, Aadhaar details, and contact numbers correctly in the layout fields.
Upload digital scanned versions of your Aadhaar Card, standard residence proofs, and the signed Medical Fitness Certificate.
Verify information, finalize form submission, and save your system-generated acknowledgment slip for lottery reference track.
Method B: Offline Application Process
Pick up a hard copy of the application form from your nearest **District Tourism Office**, **Block Development Office (BDO)**, or **Tourist Information Counter**.
Visit a registered government medical practitioner to complete the mandatory physical evaluation checklist and sign the fitness declaration sheet.
Attach physical self-attested copies of your Aadhaar Card, age proofs, residential address declaration, and the companion’s demand draft (if applying for an escort).
Submit the completed physical binder directly back to the **District Tourism Office** or **BDO Counter** before the closing deadline on August 14, 2026.
Official Division Route Distribution & Timelines
| Division | Districts Covered | Sacred Destinations | Duration | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhubaneswar | Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Nayagarh | 1. Varanasi-Ayodhya 2. Varanasi-Ayodhya |
5N / 6D 5N / 6D |
03.09.2026 | 08.09.2026 |
| Berhampur | Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Boudh | 1. Varanasi-Ayodhya 2. Haridwar-Rishikesh |
5N / 6D 6N / 7D |
10.09.2026 | 15.09.2026 |
| Sambalpur | Sambalpur, Bargarh, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Balangir, Sonepur, Kalahandi | 1. Varanasi-Ayodhya 2. Rameswaram-Madurai |
5N / 6D 6N / 7D |
11.09.2026 | 16.09.2026 |
| Balasore | Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Keonjhar | 1. Varanasi-Ayodhya 2. Rameswaram-Madurai |
5N / 6D 6N / 7D |
12.09.2026 | 17.09.2026 |
| Rourkela | Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkanal | 1. Varanasi-Ayodhya 2. Haridwar-Rishikesh |
5N / 6D 6N / 7D |
23.09.2026 | 28.09.2026 |