Marketing Development Assistance Scheme

The Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme is run by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and sits within the wider Overseas Promotion & Publicity (OPP) framework. It provides financial support to a range of approved tourism service providers, along with State Government and Union Territory tourism administrations.

The scheme's aim is to help these stakeholders market and promote India as a tourism destination in key international markets. By offering this financial assistance, it works to raise the global visibility of the "Incredible India" brand, increase foreign tourist arrivals and strengthen the country's tourism economy.

Smaller and medium-sized tourism enterprises often find international promotional activities expensive. The scheme addresses this cost barrier, allowing for a more inclusive marketing effort for Indian tourism worldwide.

Applications under the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme are made entirely online and involve two separate stages: securing Prior Approval, and later filing Reimbursement Claims.

**Prior Approval**

1. Every applicant — Tourism Service Providers (TSP), State Governments (SG) and Union Territories (UT) — must obtain approval from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India before starting any overseas promotional tour. 2. Download the prior approval application form, marked Annexure-I, from the scheme guidelines. 3. Complete all mandatory fields in the form and attach self-attested copies of every supporting document required. 4. Email the duly filled and signed form to the Assistant Director General (Overseas Marketing) at mda-tourism@gov.in. 5. Send the application at least 21 days before the scheduled overseas tour.

**Reimbursement Claims**

1. Once the approved tourism promotional activity or overseas tour is complete, the TSP/SG/UT may apply for financial reimbursement. 2. Download the claim application forms, provided as Annexure-II, III and IV in the guidelines document. 3. Fill in the forms accurately and attach all mandatory documents, self-attested where applicable. 4. Submit the completed and signed claim forms to the Assistant Director General (Overseas Marketing) at mda-tourism@gov.in within 45 days of the activity's completion.

Claims sent physically will not be accepted, which reflects the scheme's digital-first approach.

Applications for Prior Approval are reviewed by the Overseas Marketing division of the Ministry of Tourism. That review checks whether the application (Annexure-I) meets every stated eligibility condition, whether the paperwork is complete, and whether the proposed activity furthers the scheme's aim of promoting Indian tourism overseas. Only proposals that are genuine, properly planned and eligible for support clear this stage.

Once the approved activity is finished, Reimbursement Claims (Annexure-II, III & IV) are verified in detail. Expenditure proofs, invoices and other required documents are checked against the approved activity plan and the scheme's financial support limits. The Assistant Director General (Overseas Marketing) is responsible for ensuring compliance and for processing claims without delay.