UDAN completes 8 years since its first flight (Shimla–Delhi, 27 April 2017)
The UDAN regional connectivity scheme completed 8 years of its first flight on 27 April 2025; 625 routes connecting 90 airports have been operationalised, per a Civil Aviation Ministry backgrounder.
Summary
The Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN ('Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik'), launched on 21 October 2016, completed 8 years of its first flight — Shimla to Delhi on 27 April 2017 — on 27 April 2025, according to a Civil Aviation Ministry backgrounder released on 26 April 2025. 625 UDAN routes have been operationalised, connecting 90 airports including 2 water aerodromes and 15 heliports, and more than 1.49 crore passengers have benefited. India's airports grew from 74 in 2014 to 159 in 2024, and ₹4,023.37 crore has been disbursed as Viability Gap Funding.
Key facts
- Launched
- 21 October 2016
- First flight
- Shimla–Delhi, 27 April 2017
- Routes
- 625, connecting 90 airports (2 water aerodromes, 15 heliports)
- Passengers
- 1.49 crore+
- Airports
- 74 (2014) to 159 (2024)
- VGF disbursed
- ₹4,023.37 crore
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many UDAN routes had been operationalised, as per the Civil Aviation Ministry's backgrounder marking 8 years of the scheme's first flight?
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Correct answer: A — 625
625 UDAN routes have been operationalised, connecting 90 airports.
Consider the following about the UDAN scheme: 1. It was launched on 21 October 2016. 2. India's airports grew from 74 in 2014 to 159 in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as per the Civil Aviation Ministry backgrounder.
The 90 airports connected under UDAN, as per the Civil Aviation Ministry backgrounder of April 2025, include how many heliports?
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Correct answer: D — 15
The 90 airports connected under UDAN include 2 water aerodromes and 15 heliports.