UDAN turns nine: 649 routes connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports
The Ministry of Civil Aviation marked the 9th anniversary of the regional connectivity scheme UDAN on 21 October 2025; 649 routes now connect 93 unserved and underserved airports.
Summary
On 21 October 2025 the Ministry of Civil Aviation marked the 9th anniversary of UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), the Regional Connectivity Scheme launched on 21 October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy. The first UDAN flight, between Shimla and Delhi, was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 27 April 2017. So far 649 routes connect 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, carrying over 1.56 crore passengers on 3.23 lakh flights. The government has paid over ₹4,300 crore as Viability Gap Funding. Under UDAN 5.5, a special round for seaplanes and helicopters, Letters of Intent have been issued for 150 routes linking 30 water aerodromes. The scheme will continue beyond April 2027 under an Expanded UDAN Framework targeting about 120 new destinations.
Key facts
- Launched
- 21 Oct 2016, under National Civil Aviation Policy
- First flight
- Shimla–Delhi, 27 Apr 2017
- Routes/airports
- 649 routes; 93 airports incl. 15 heliports, 2 water aerodromes
- Passengers
- 1.56 crore+ on 3.23 lakh flights
- VGF
- ₹4,300 crore+
- UDAN 5.5
- Seaplanes & helicopters; LoIs for 150 routes, 30 water aerodromes
Practice MCQs 3 questions
On which date was the Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN launched?
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Correct answer: A — 21 October 2016
PIB: UDAN was launched on 21 October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy; 27 April 2017 is the date of the first UDAN flight.
The first UDAN flight, inaugurated by PM Modi on 27 April 2017, connected which two cities?
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Correct answer: D — Shimla and Delhi
PIB: the first UDAN flight was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 27 April 2017 between Shimla and Delhi.
Consider the following statements about UDAN as of its 9th anniversary (October 2025): 1. The 93 airports connected under UDAN include heliports and water aerodromes. 2. UDAN 5.5 is a special bidding round for seaplanes and helicopters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: the 93 unserved and underserved airports include 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes; UDAN 5.5 is a special bidding round for seaplanes and helicopters.