News: The Union Cabinet (March 2026) approved the Modified UDAN Scheme to boost regional air connectivity and support the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

About Modified UDAN

• Duration: FY 2026–27 to 2035–36 (10 years)
• Outlay: ₹28,840 crore
• Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Implementing Agency: Airports Authority of India (AAI)

Key Features

• Develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips.
• Provide Operation & Maintenance (O&M) support for 441 RCS-only aerodromes for 3 years.
• Develop 200 modern helipads in hilly, remote, island, and aspirational regions.
• Provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹10,043 crore to support regional airline operations.
• Promote Atmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging indigenous aircraft such as HAL Dhruv helicopters and HAL Dornier aircraft.

About UDAN Scheme

• Launched: October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), 2016.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Objective: Make air travel affordable and accessible while improving connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Achievements

• 669 regional routes operationalized.
• Connected 95 airports, heliports, and water aerodromes.
• Benefited over 1.66 crore passengers.
• ₹4,593.28 crore disbursed as Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
• Expanded India's airport network from 74 (2014) to 159 (2024).