Important Indian Scheme · Civil Aviation

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)

A regional connectivity scheme to make air travel affordable and connect under-served airports.

Launched
2016
Ministry
Civil Aviation
Part Of
RCS
Fare Cap
~₹2,500 / hour

Overview

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional connectivity scheme launched in 2016 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation as a key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy. Its objective is to make flying affordable for the common citizen and to improve air connectivity to under-served and unserved airports across the country. Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), airfares are capped (around ₹2,500 for a one-hour flight) on selected routes, and airlines are provided with viability gap funding (VGF) and various concessions to operate these routes. UDAN has helped revive several small airports and airstrips.

Key Features & Objectives

  • ✓Caps airfares (about ₹2,500 for a one-hour journey) on selected regional routes.
  • ✓Provides Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to airlines operating on regional routes.
  • ✓Aims to connect unserved and under-served airports and airstrips.
  • ✓Part of the National Civil Aviation Policy and the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
  • ✓Variants like UDAN for hilly regions, islands and tourism connectivity have been introduced.

Key Facts at a Glance

Launch Year 2016
Full Form Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Civil Aviation
Scheme Type Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)
Fare Cap ~₹2,500 for a one-hour flight
Support Mechanism Viability Gap Funding (VGF)
Objective Affordable air travel & regional connectivity
📝 Exam Focus: Remember launch year (2016), full form, Ministry of Civil Aviation, the RCS framework, fare cap (~₹2,500/hr) and Viability Gap Funding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. UDAN scheme stands for:
A. United Districts Air Network
B. Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik ✔
C. Urban Development Air Network
D. Universal Domestic Aviation Network
Q2. UDAN is implemented by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Tourism
B. Ministry of Civil Aviation ✔
C. Ministry of Road Transport
D. Ministry of Railways
Q3. UDAN is a component of which scheme/policy?
A. Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) ✔
B. Bharatmala
C. Sagarmala
D. Smart Cities Mission
Q4. In which year was the UDAN scheme launched?
A. 2014
B. 2015
C. 2016 ✔
D. 2017
Q5. Financial support given to airlines under UDAN is called:
A. Subsidy Grant
B. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) ✔
C. Production Linked Incentive
D. Direct Benefit Transfer