The homestay and B&B policy in short
Uttar Pradesh approved its Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy in June 2025, letting homeowners register with a district committee led by the district magistrate and superintendent of police instead of the central NIDHI+ portal (Outlook Traveller, June 2025). Amendments in June 2026 raised the room limits (Travel Trends Today, June 2026).
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Urban homestays | 1 to 8 rooms and up to 16 beds; the owner or family must live on the premises |
| B&B units | Up to 8 rooms; residential or leased building (lease of 3 years or more) with a caretaker living on site |
| Not covered | Buildings with more than 8 rooms, hotels, motels and guest houses |
| Approval | District committee led by the DM and SP |
| Renewal | Online self-renewal, opening three months before the registration expires |
| Fees (2025 policy) | ₹500 to ₹750 for rural homestays; ₹2,000 for urban and silver-category units |
The state had received more than 3,000 applications and registered nearly 900 homestays and farmstays by May 2026 (UNI). Check the current fees with UP Tourism before you apply.
When guests come
| Period | Where | Worth setting up in InnRow |
|---|---|---|
| October to March | Varanasi, Agra, Lucknow; most foreign visitors | A season rate |
| Dev Deepawali (November) | Varanasi ghats fill weeks ahead | A festival season with a minimum stay |
| Magh Mela (January to February) | Prayagraj | Holds that release after 24 hours |
| Holi (March) | Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana | A festival season and an advance to confirm |
| Ram Navami and Deepotsav | Ayodhya | Festival seasons; bookings by phone close fast |
What UP hosts use InnRow for
- Festival weeks without clashes. In Varanasi or Ayodhya a festival week can sell out in a day by phone and WhatsApp. Each night is locked the moment it is saved, so two family members can't promise the same room.
- Pilgrim groups. Book several rooms in one booking for one family, with one bill.
- Foreign guests. Varanasi and Agra draw many foreign visitors; the Form C helper has every detail ready within the 24 hours.
- A caretaker on site. B&B units need a resident caretaker; give them the front desk role and keep money and reports for yourself.
Uttar Pradesh questions
How many rooms can a homestay have in Uttar Pradesh?
After the June 2026 amendments, urban homestays can register 1 to 8 rooms with up to 16 beds, and B&B units up to 8 rooms.
Who approves homestays in Uttar Pradesh?
A district committee led by the district magistrate and the superintendent of police, under the Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy 2025.
Is InnRow good for a Varanasi guest house?
Yes, for up to 25 rooms. It locks each room night by night, syncs with Booking.com and Airbnb, and keeps Form C details ready for foreign guests.