The Modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme is the Government of India’s upgraded Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) that aims to make air travel affordable for common citizens by reviving unserved and underserved airports, capping fares on regional routes, and offering Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to airlines. The revamped version expands the network of operational routes and airports and extends the scheme with a fresh focus on hilly, remote and North-Eastern regions.
What is the Modified UDAN Scheme?
The UDAN Scheme, launched under the National Civil Aviation Policy, is designed to let ordinary Indians fly at affordable prices. Under the scheme, a portion of seats on selected regional routes are sold at capped fares, while airlines are compensated for the shortfall through Viability Gap Funding shared between the Centre and participating states. The Modified UDAN version broadens the reach of the programme by adding more routes and airports and by prioritising regions that were previously left out of the aviation map.
Objectives of the Scheme
- Make flying affordable for the common citizen through fare caps.
- Revive and develop unserved and underserved airports and airstrips.
- Improve connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and remote regions.
- Promote balanced regional economic growth, tourism and employment.
Key Features
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF): financial support to airlines to keep fares low.
- Fare Cap: a set number of seats offered at controlled prices on each RCS flight.
- Competitive bidding: routes are awarded to airlines through a transparent bidding process.
- Airport development: the Airports Authority of India upgrades small airports and heliports.
- Special focus: the modified version emphasises the North-East, hilly and island regions.
Significance for India
By connecting smaller towns to major cities, the scheme reduces travel time, supports local businesses, encourages tourism and generates jobs in aviation and allied services. It also helps decongest major metro airports and integrates remote parts of the country into the national economy.
Exam-Relevant Key Facts
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. UDAN scheme ka full form kya hai?
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Correct Answer: (A) Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
UDAN stands for Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik, the Regional Connectivity Scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
2. UDAN scheme kis ministry ke tahat aati hai?
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Correct Answer: (B) Ministry of Civil Aviation
UDAN is implemented by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
3. UDAN scheme original roop me kab launch hui thi?
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Correct Answer: (A) October 2016
The original UDAN scheme was launched in October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy.
4. UDAN ke tahat airlines ko fares kam rakhne ke liye kya diya jata hai?
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Correct Answer: (B) Viability Gap Funding (VGF)
Airlines receive Viability Gap Funding (VGF), shared by the Centre and states, to compensate for capped fares.
5. UDAN scheme ka mukhya uddeshya kya hai?
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Correct Answer: (B) Aam nagrik ke liye sasti hawai yatra
The core objective is affordable regional air connectivity for the common citizen.
6. UDAN me routes airlines ko kaise diye jate hain?
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Correct Answer: (B) Competitive bidding
Regional routes are awarded to airlines through a transparent competitive bidding process.
7. Modified UDAN version me vishesh dhyan kis kshetra par diya gaya hai?
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Correct Answer: (B) North-East, hilly aur island regions
The modified version emphasises the North-East, hilly and island regions previously left out of the aviation map.
8. Chote airports ka development kaun karta hai?
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Correct Answer: (B) Airports Authority of India (AAI)
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) upgrades small airports and heliports under the scheme.
9. UDAN se kis prakar ke shahron ko sabse zyada laabh hota hai?
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Correct Answer: (B) Tier-2 aur Tier-3 cities
The scheme improves connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and remote regions.
10. UDAN scheme ke tahat RCS seats par kya lagaya jata hai?
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Correct Answer: (B) Fare cap
A fixed number of seats on each RCS flight are offered at capped (controlled) fares.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)