What about what counts as a homestay?

The scheme defines a homestay as a unit owned and run by an individual or family, on the same premises as their home or in immediate proximity, where the owner or family lives and personally hosts guests. Only one person per family can claim benefits, and the property must not be in a legal dispute.

What about two routes?

Category 1: notified Gram Panchayats (financial incentives). For new homestays in notified rural Gram Panchayats outside urban local bodies. Incentives apply to a maximum of 4 rooms and 8 beds. The applicant must live in the notified Gram Panchayat, be over 18, hold a PAN card, an Aadhaar card and an Aadhaar-linked bank account, and have clear ownership or a lease of at least 10 years. Joint owners need written no-objection from all co-sharers.

- Application fee: Rs 2,000 for Category 1 and Rs 1,000 for Category 2, both non-refundable and paid online. - Subsidy (Category 1): a one-time incentive of up to 50% of fixed capital investment, excluding land, capped at Rs 2.5 lakh per lettable room for at most 4 rooms, so Rs 10 lakh maximum per homestay. The scheme also lists a higher-level component for community infrastructure; read the gazette for it. - Renewal: Rs 500. - Penalty: violating government orders or SOPs can bring a penalty of

What about how applying works?

1. Apply online on the Go-Homestay portal, linked from the Department of Tourism website (dot.odisha.gov.in). 2. Category 1 applications open in rounds. The scheme targets 225 homestays in each of two years. If valid applications exceed the target in a cluster, the April 2026 amendment says a lottery or computerised randomisation picks the beneficiaries. 3. Category 2 documents: the application form, an undertaking of authenticity, proof of ownership (title deed, property tax receipt or electric

What about validity and renewal?

Category 1 registration is valid for 5 years from the commercial operation date. For Category 2 the original text gave 2 years, and the April 2026 amendment changed it to 5 years from the date of agreement. Renewal is by a self-renewal request on the portal with the Rs 500 fee, and is processed automatically unless a complaint is on file.

What about what you must keep doing?

- Keep a guest register with a copy of each guest's government photo ID - Category 1 homestays use the department's visitor management portal for online check-in and check-out - Provide power back-up, a clean kitchen, safe drinking water and complimentary breakfast at minimum, plus safety signage - Submit an annual self-declaration on the portal by 30 April each year, with booking records from credible online sources - Run for at least 5 years (Category 1) or 2 years (Category 2)

What about what the april 2026 amendment changed?

As we read it, the amendment removed the 6-metre setback rule for Category 1, dropped the 6-room and 12-bed consideration cap for Category 2, and removed the bar on serving government employees for Category 2. It also revised the list of eligible Gram Panchayats. Check the portal for the current list.

How much does Odisha homestay registration cost?

The application fee is Rs 2,000 for the subsidy route (Category 1) and Rs 1,000 for the registration-only route (Category 2), both non-refundable. Renewal is Rs 500.

How much subsidy can I get in Odisha?

Category 1 homestays can get up to 50% of fixed capital investment excluding land, capped at Rs 2.5 lakh per room for up to 4 rooms, so Rs 10 lakh in total.

Do I need to live in the homestay?

Yes. The scheme defines a homestay as one where the owner or family lives on the premises or in immediate proximity and personally hosts guests.

How long is the registration valid?

5 years for Category 1 from the commercial operation date, and 5 years from the date of agreement for Category 2 after the April 2026 amendment. Renew on the portal before it ends.

Can I register an existing homestay?

Yes. Category 2 covers existing, under-construction and proposed homestays anywhere in the state.

What about after you register?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution makes you earn. Read how a free channel manager syncs your calendars, or the iCal sync guide, then list your property.

Journal/Homestay Guides

5 min read · 7 October 2026

Odisha Homestay Registration Guide (2026)

Odisha's 2025 scheme splits homestays into two routes: a subsidy route in notified villages and a registration-only route for everyone else. Here is who qualifies, what it costs and what you must keep doing.

Sneha Surana

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