Why in news
- Union Ministry of Civil Aviation announced a ₹28,840 crore commitment to support the UDAN scheme over the next 10 years.
What is the UDAN Scheme?
- Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) was launched in 2016 as a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) under the National Civil Aviation Policy.
- Operates via Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to subsidise airfares on unserved and underserved regional routes.
Details of New Commitment
- Allocates ₹28,840 crore over a 10-year horizon to construct new airstrips, helipads, and maintain operational VGF support.
- Aims to expand regional air coverage to tier-2, tier-3 cities, and remote hilly terrain.
Key terms
Viability Gap Funding
A central grant provided to infrastructure project developers or operators to bridge the gap between economic viability and financial costs.
Prelims facts
- UDAN relies on a regional connectivity fund financed primarily through a small levy on domestic major-route flights.
Mains discussion
- Assess the role of regional air connectivity initiatives in stimulating decentralised economic growth.
Source: Economic Times
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
-
2025 · Q4 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: I. The Reserve Bank of India mandates all the listed companies in India to submit a Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR). II. In India, a company submitting a BRSR makes disclosures in the report that are largely non-financial in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2025 · Q8 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: I. India accounts for a very large portion of all equity option contracts traded globally thus exhibiting a great boom. II. India's stock market has grown rapidly in the recent past even overtaking Hong Kong's at some point of time. III. There is no regulatory body either to warn the small investors about the risks of options trading or to act on unregistered financial advisors in this regard. Which of the statements given above are correct? -
2025 · Q14 · GS II · 15 marks
Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India? -
2025 · Q91 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: I. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States. II. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the intermediate level, a person should attain the age of thirty years. III. The Chief Minister of a State constitutes a commission to review the financial position of Panchayats at the intermediate levels and to make recommendations regarding the distribution of net proceeds of taxes and duties, leviable by the State, between the State and Panchayats at the intermediate level. Which of the statements given above are not correct? -
2024 · Q42 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. In India, Non- Banking Financial Companies can access the Liquidity Adjustment Facility window of the Reserve Bank of India. 2. In India, Foreign Institutional Investors can hold the Government Securities (G-Secs). 3. In India, Stock Exchanges can offer separate trading platforms for debts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?