UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Buddhist circuits, hiking trails to put tourism on growth path

Q1. As per the Union Budget 2026-27, how many North-Eastern States are covered under the newly announced scheme for development of Buddhist Circuits in the North-Eastern Region?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Eight

Q2. The new scheme for development of Buddhist Circuits in the North-Eastern Region was announced under the authority of which one of the following?

  • A. Union Budget 2024-25 presented by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
  • B. Union Budget 2025-26 presented by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
  • C. Union Budget 2026-27 presented by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
  • D. NITI Aayog's North-Eastern Region Vision Document 2026

Q3. In the Union Budget 2026-27, the proposed 'National Institute of Hospitality' is to be established by upgrading which one of the following existing institutions?

  • A. Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM)
  • B. National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT)
  • C. Indian Culinary Institute (ICI)
  • D. Indian Institute of Skill Development for Hospitality

Q4. With reference to the Buddhist Circuit announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 vis-à-vis the pre-existing Buddhist Circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, consider the following statements: 1. The pre-existing Buddhist Circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme primarily covered sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Sanchi located in the Hindi-heartland States. 2. The newly announced Buddhist Circuit explicitly covers Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. 3. Unlike the original Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 follows a 60:40 Centre-State funding pattern. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The pre-existing Buddhist Circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme primarily covered sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Sanchi located in the Hindi-heartland States.
  2. The newly announced Buddhist Circuit explicitly covers Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
  3. Unlike the original Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 follows a 60:40 Centre-State funding pattern.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The scheme for development of Buddhist Circuits in the North-Eastern Region, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, is to be operationalised by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
  • B. Ministry of Culture
  • C. Ministry of Tourism
  • D. Ministry of Minority Affairs