**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 1 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on January 29, 2026, regarding the "Routes Under UDAN Scheme". It details the status of the UDAN scheme, modifications announced in the 2025-26 Budget, connectivity enhancements in remote areas, Viability Gap Funding (VGF) disbursement, and the inclusion of new airstrips in Rajasthan.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **UDAN Scheme Status:**
* As of January 20, 2026, 657 routes have been operationalized.
* 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, are connected.
* Over 1.6 crore domestic passengers have traveled on over 3.27 lakh RCS flights.
* **Modified UDAN Scheme:**
* Aims to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations over the next 10 years, targeting 4 crore passengers.
* Will support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts.
* Presently at the approval stage.
* **Viability Gap Funding (VGF):**
* Rs. 4494 crores has been disbursed to support Selected Airline Operators.
* Financial incentives are provided to airline operators, including concessions and VGF, to bridge the gap between operational costs and expected revenues.
* **Inclusion of Airstrips in Rajasthan:**
* Inclusion of existing airstrips is finalized in consultation with the respective State Governments.
* If the State Government of Rajasthan informs of the existence of airstrips and requests for inclusion under UDAN, the same may be included in the scheme document.
**Impact Analysis**
**Selected Airline Operators**
* **Impact:** Receive Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and financial incentives to operate regional routes.
* **Action Required:** Continue to operate flights on selected routes, ensuring sustainability with the help of financial incentives and reduced operational costs.
**State Government of Rajasthan**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to include existing airstrips in the UDAN scheme, enhancing regional connectivity.
* **Action Required:** Inform the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the existence of airstrips in Rajasthan and formally request their inclusion under the UDAN scheme.
**Passengers / Regional Connectivity**
* **Impact:** Potential for increased connectivity to new destinations, particularly in hilly, aspirational, and North East regions.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the UDAN scheme to travel to connected regions.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN Scheme: Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik, aiming to enhance air connectivity to underserved regions.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The primary government body responsible for overseeing and implementing the UDAN scheme.
Viability Gap Funding (VGF): A financial mechanism within the UDAN scheme to support airline operators by bridging the gap between operational costs and expected revenues.
Rajasthan: A specific state mentioned in the context of potential inclusion of new airstrips under the UDAN scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1
th
(To be answered on the 29 January 2026)
ROUTES UNDER UDAN SCHEME
1. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA
SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI
SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH
SHRI DILIP SAIKIA
SHRI TAPIR GAO
SHRI ANURAG SHARMA
SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA
SMT ANITA NAGARSINGH CHOUHAN
SHRI KHAGEN MURMU
DR. SANJAY JAISWAL
SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL
SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT
SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) the present status of the UDAN scheme including the total number of routes
operationalised, airports connected and passengers benefited since its inception;
(b) the details of the modified UDAN scheme announced in the Budget for
2025-26 and its target for connecting new destinations over the next decade; State-
wise;
(c) the specific measures being taken to enhance air connectivity to remote, hilly
and North Eastern regions under the revamped scheme;
(d) the details of the Viability Gap Funding disbursed till date and the mechanism
in place for monitoring sustainability of the routes; and (e) whether the
Government proposes to add new airstrips in Rajasthan under the said scheme
and if so, the details thereof?ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c): As on 20.01.2026, a total of 657 routes have been operationalised,
connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water
aerodromes carrying over 1.6 crore domestic passengers on more than 3.27 lakh RCS
flights under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-
UDAN).
The Government has announced the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to
increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country, to cater to
4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and
smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts. The scheme is
presently at the approval stage.
(d) & (e): An amount of Rs. 4494 crores has been disbursed towards Viability Gap
Funding (VGF) to support the Selected Airline Operators. To ensure the
sustainability of the routes, the UDAN scheme provides financial incentives to
airline operators on regional routes that include: Concessions by the Central
Government, State Governments/Union Territories and airport operators to reduce
airline operation costs and also the VGF to bridge the gap between operational costs
and expected revenues on such routes.
Under the UDAN scheme, the list of existing unserved/underserved
airstrips/airports/Water aerodromes for inclusion in the UDAN scheme is finalized
in consultation with the State Government concerned. If the State Government of
Rajasthan informs of the existence of airstrips and requests for its inclusion under
UDAN, the same may be included in the scheme document.
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