Context: The UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched on 21 October 2016 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), has completed nine successful years of enhancing regional air connectivity and making air travel accessible to the common citizen.
About the UDAN Scheme
- Launch & Objective:
Introduced under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), 2016, UDAN aims to make air travel affordable and widespread, especially for residents of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and regions with poor or no air connectivity. - Implementing Agency:
Airports Authority of India (AAI) serves as the nodal agency. - Tenure:
Applicable for 10 years (2016–2026). - Recognition:
Recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2020) under the Innovation Category. - Funding Structure:
Supported through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from the Regional Connectivity Fund, shared between:- Centre: 80–90%
- State Governments: 10–20%
Airlines receive incentives such as:- Fee waivers on parking and navigation
- 50% seats at subsidised fares
- State support for land, utilities & security
Key Achievements in 9 Years (as of 2025)
| Category | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Routes Operationalised | 649 Regional Routes |
| Passengers Served | 1.56 crore |
| Flights Operated | 3.23 lakh UDAN Flights |
| Infrastructure | 93 Airports, 15 Heliports, 2 Water Aerodromes |
| Investment & Support | ₹4,300 crore as VGF; ₹4,638 crore airline support |
| Employment Impact | 1 lakh+ Direct & Indirect Jobs (MoCA Report, 2025) |
Recent Developments
- UDAN 5.5 (2025):
Introduced to focus on special bidding rounds for seaplanes and helicopters, addressing geographical barriers in hilly, island, and North-Eastern regions. - Expanded UDAN Framework (Post-2027):
The upcoming phase will focus on aspirational districts, border areas, and remote hilly terrains, aligning with the government’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision.
Significance
- Democratized air travel by connecting underserved and unserved airports.
- Strengthened regional economic activity, tourism, and employment generation.
- Enhanced social inclusion and mobility in remote areas.
UDAN represents India’s model of inclusive infrastructure growth, balancing commercial viability with social responsibility.