Update: J&K Homestay Policy Adds a 35% PMEGP Subsidy, a 28-Day Provisional Silver Registration and a Cap of ₹20 Lakh

The story so far

In August, JammuBeat explained how the renewed homestay policy turns a family house into a business: ₹5 Lakh a Room. That piece covered registration, the six-month provisional Silver grade and J&K Bank loans of up to ₹5 lakh per room.

What's new

A report in The Tribune (updated October 16) on the J&K Homestay Policy, 2026 adds incentive details. According to it:

• Registration is simplified, with Silver and Gold classes based on facilities, hygiene and safety, and eligible residential properties can register as Bed and Breakfast.
• Provisional Silver registration is granted within 28 days of a complete application and is valid for six months.
• Incentives include a 35% subsidy under PMEGP, with project funding support capped at ₹20 lakh; domestic utility tariff benefits; PM Surya Ghar solar subsidies; and credit through J&K Bank.
• Officials say about 3,000 homestays are operational across J&K. (Our August piece cited 2,802 registered units.)

The two reports describe the registration timeline differently (a 15-day deemed-approval window in August's coverage, 28 days for provisional registration here), and the Tribune report does not reconcile them; confirm the current rule on the J&K Tourism portal before applying.

Who it is for

For a young person with a family home in a tourist belt such as Bhaderwah, Patnitop or Sanasar, this is a low-capital route to self-employment. The report names no Jammu-division districts and lists no detailed eligibility conditions. Faiz Ahmad Bakshi of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: "Tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly choosing homestays instead of hotels."

Source: The Tribune.