**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to an unstarred question regarding the non-selection of regions under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN, to be answered on February 5, 2026. It addresses the criteria for region selection, details of regions assessed, socio-economic indicators considered, and the mechanism for ensuring inclusiveness under the scheme. The response provides specifics regarding airstrips available in Telangana under the UDAN scheme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **RCS-UDAN Scheme:**
* The Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) is a market-driven scheme focused on unserved and underserved airstrips/airports.
* Airstrips/airports are listed in consultation with the concerned State Government for bidding by airlines to provide connectivity.
* Interested airlines submit proposals based on their assessment of demand on particular routes.
* Airports included in awarded UDAN routes requiring upgrades are developed under the 'Revival of unserved and underserved airports' scheme.
* **Telangana Airstrips:**
* Adilabad, Aleru, Basantnagar (Peddapalli), and Kagazpur airstrips in Telangana are on the tentative list of unserved airstrips in the UDAN document.
* **Inclusiveness:**
* Inclusiveness is ensured through uniform eligibility criteria, financial support via Viability Gap Funding (VGF), and concessions on airport charges.
* The scheme focuses on unserved and underserved airports to improve air connectivity in remote, hilly, tribal, and aspirational regions.
* Project success is based on market response and operational feasibility.
**Impact Analysis**
**Airlines:**
* **Impact:** Airlines are given the opportunity to bid for routes connecting unserved/underserved airstrips/airports based on market demand.
* **Action Required:** Airlines should assess the demand for particular routes and submit proposals for bidding under UDAN.
**State Governments (specifically Telangana):**
* **Impact:** The State Government is involved in consultation for listing airstrips/airports for bidding under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
* **Action Required:** The State Government should facilitate the bidding process and coordinate on airport upgrades.
**Citizens in Remote, Hilly, Tribal, and Aspirational Regions:**
* **Impact:** Air connectivity will be improved in these regions.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required, but citizens may benefit from improved air travel options.
Key Entities Referenced
Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN): A market driven scheme focusing on unserved and underserved airstrips/airports to enhance air connectivity.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The primary ministry responsible for the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN)
Telangana: State where airstrips are mentioned in the context of RCS-UDAN implementation
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1109
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5th February 2026 )
NON-SELECTION OF REGIONS UNDER RCS-UDAN
1109. DR. MALLU RAVI
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government maintains the list of regions assessed but not selected
for connectivity under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN;
(b) if so, the details thereof, district/Lok Sabha Constituency-wise including the
interior districts of Telangana, particularly Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha Constituency;
(c) whether socio-economic indicators such as backwardness, SC/ST population
share and distance from nearest airport are weighted in RCS evaluation and if so,
the details thereof; and
(d) the manner in which the inclusiveness is ensured under the said scheme?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (d):Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN)
is market driven scheme in which unserved and underserved airstrips/airports are
listed in consultation with the State Government concerned for bidding by airlines
to provide connectivity. Based on their assessment of demand on particular routes,
interested airlines submit their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN. An
airport which is included in the awarded routes of UDAN and requires
upgradation/development for commencement of UDAN operations, is developed
under the 'Revival of unserved and underserved airports' scheme.
In the state of Telangana, Adilabad, Aleru, Basantnagar (Peddapalli) & Kagazpur
airstrips are available in the tentative list of unserved airstrips in the UDAN
document.
Inclusiveness under the scheme is ensured through uniform eligibility criteria,
financial support in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF), concessions on
airport charges, and focus on unserved and underserved airports, which collectively
aim to improve air connectivity in remote, hilly, tribal, and aspirational regions
based on market response and operational feasibility.
******