Assam is promoting homestays as an important part of its tourism sector through the Aamaar Aalohi Homestay Scheme. The scheme is designed to encourage rural and semi-urban homestays, create self-employment opportunities and give tourists a chance to experience Assam’s local culture, food and traditions.
The Assam Tourism Accommodation (Development & Registration) Rules, 2026 have also introduced a new regulatory framework for tourism accommodation, including homestays. The Rules were notified in the Assam Gazette on 9 July 2026 and cover registration, renewal, inspection, documentation and operating requirements for accommodation units.
This article explains the current homestay registration requirements and how the Aamaar Aalohi Scheme can provide additional support.
What is the Aamaar Aalohi Homestay Scheme?
Aamaar Aalohi is a Rural Homestay Scheme of the Tourism Department, Government of Assam. It aims to develop homestay facilities in rural and semi-urban areas having tourism potential and to create self-employment opportunities.
The scheme covers:
- New homestay projects
- Existing homestays
- Training and hospitality support
- Promotion and publicity
- Registration under Assam Tourism
- Financial assistance for selected new homestay projects
The official Assam Tourism website states that the location of the property is an important selection factor. Properties located near important tourist destinations, fairs, festivals and other tourism attractions can be considered under the scheme.
New Assam Homestay Rules 2026
The Assam Tourism Accommodation (Development & Registration) Rules, 2026 now provide a common regulatory framework for tourism accommodation establishments including:
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Guest Houses/Lodges
- Motels
- Homestays
- Bed and Breakfast establishments
- Service Apartments
- Tented Accommodation
- Heritage Hotels
The Rules provide for a registration process under the Tourism Department and include provisions for renewal and inspection.
The Assam Cabinet had earlier announced that the new framework would provide a single-window registration system and automatic renewal every three years.
Who Can Register a Homestay in Assam?
Under the 2026 Rules, a homestay is a private house located in a rural or urban area where the owner or an authorised representative physically resides and where at least 2 and not more than 8 rooms are earmarked exclusively for tourists with the required basic services.
An important change under the new Rules is that the owner does not necessarily have to stay personally at the homestay. The property can be operated through an authorised representative of the owner.
Basic Homestay Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Property | Private house |
| Location | Rural or urban area |
| Minimum Rooms | 2 rooms |
| Maximum Rooms | 8 rooms |
| Owner Residence | Owner or authorised representative must reside physically |
| Fire Safety | Fire Safety Certificate required |
| Inspection | Inspection as per prescribed checklist |
| Registration | Required under Assam Tourism |
Documents Required for Homestay Registration
The 2026 Rules specify several details and documents for tourism accommodation registration. For a homestay application, applicants should be prepared with documents such as:
- Applicant’s name and correspondence address
- Telephone number and email address
- Details of ownership/proprietorship or company ownership
- Name and address of the accommodation unit
- PAN details of the proprietor/company
- Aadhaar details of the applicant/proprietor
- GST registration details, if applicable
- Ownership details of the building
- Rent agreement/lease deed, if the building is rented or leased
- Affidavit/undertaking regarding compliance with statutory licences
- Visitor register in the prescribed format
- Fire Safety Certificate
The exact documents applicable to a particular property should be checked against the prescribed application form and requirements of the Tourism Department.
How to Register a Homestay in Assam?
The 2026 Rules prescribe the following basic registration process.
Step 1 – Prepare Your Property
Before applying, make sure the property meets the applicable homestay requirements.
The property should have at least 2 and not more than 8 lettable rooms and should provide the basic facilities required under the Rules.
Step 2 – Collect the Required Documents
Prepare your identity, ownership and property-related documents.
Important documents include:
- Aadhaar Card
- PAN Card
- Ownership documents
- Rent/lease documents, if applicable
- GST details, if applicable
- Fire Safety Certificate
- Required affidavit/undertaking
- Other documents specified in the application form
Step 3 – Submit the Registration Application
Under Rule 3 of the 2026 Rules, a person intending to operate a tourism business or provide tourism services has to apply to the prescribed authority in Form-1 along with the applicable fee notified by the Government.
Step 4 – Scrutiny and Verification
After receiving the application and prescribed fee, the authority will scrutinise the application.
Where necessary, physical verification may be conducted through the District Tourism Officer. If the property satisfies the prescribed standards and requirements, the registration certificate is issued in Form-3.
Step 5 – Inspection
Homestay inspection is carried out according to the parameters prescribed in the relevant checklist under the Rules.
The inspection is therefore an important part of the registration process.
Step 6 – Receive the Registration Certificate
If the authority is satisfied that the property meets the prescribed requirements, the applicant receives the registration certificate.
If registration is proposed to be refused, the applicant must be given an opportunity to submit objections under the procedure prescribed in the Rules.
Homestay Safety Requirements
The 2026 Rules also require accommodation units to maintain appropriate safety arrangements.
For homestays, the Rules specifically require a Fire Safety Certificate issued by the State Fire Department.
The general accommodation requirements also include:
- Display of tariff rates at a prominent place
- Display of emergency contact numbers
- Adequate security measures
- Adequate fire-fighting measures
These requirements are intended to ensure the safety of tourists staying at registered accommodation units.
Renewal of Homestay Registration
The 2026 Rules provide for renewal after every three years.
Under Rule 4, the service provider applies for renewal in Form-6 along with the applicable renewal fee. Where there have been no changes to the registered entity and no complaint of malpractice has been received during the validity period, the renewal certificate can be issued without inspection.
What is the Aamaar Aalohi Scheme?
Homestay registration and the Aamaar Aalohi Scheme should be understood as related but separate matters.
Registration allows the property to operate as a registered tourism accommodation establishment, while Aamaar Aalohi provides additional support for selected homestay operators.
The official scheme provides for applications for:
- New Homestays – Subsidised Projects
- Existing Homestays
Benefits Under Aamaar Aalohi
According to the Assam Tourism Development Corporation’s official scheme information, eligible existing homestays can receive support such as:
- Recognition through online registration
- Professional advice for improving the homestay
- Free hospitality and housekeeping training
- Training in basic accounts and marketing
- Publicity through Assam Tourism’s official website
- Listing in accommodation guides and homestay directories
- Promotional opportunities through tourism fairs and other channels
- Permission to display the Assam Tourism homestay logo
- Familiarisation opportunities for homestay operators
Financial Assistance for New Homestays
The official Aamaar Aalohi scheme page currently states that selected new homestay units can receive financial assistance for specified construction.
The scheme page lists assistance of up to 80% of the project cost for specified Assam-type and stilted Assam-type cottage projects, with the remaining 20% to be arranged by the beneficiary.
The same page states that the assistance is released in stages:
| Instalment | Release |
|---|---|
| First Instalment | 20% |
| Second Instalment | 50% |
| Final Instalment | 30% |
| Total | 80% |
The scheme information also states that applications are invited by ATDC from time to time and that proposed homestays are scrutinised and inspected before selection.