UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Cabinet approves Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN with a total outlay of Rs.28,840 crore

Q1. Over how many financial years is the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN, approved by the Union Cabinet, to be implemented?

  • A. 8 financial years
  • B. 9 financial years
  • C. 10 financial years
  • D. 12 financial years

Q2. With reference to how the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN differs from the original RCS-UDAN, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the original scheme, whose Viability Gap Funding was financed through a Regional Connectivity Fund levy, Modified UDAN is funded entirely through the budgetary support of the Government of India. 2. Modified UDAN is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, whereas the original UDAN was implemented by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. 3. Modified UDAN has a ten-year horizon extending up to FY 2035-36. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the original scheme, whose Viability Gap Funding was financed through a Regional Connectivity Fund levy, Modified UDAN is funded entirely through the budgetary support of the Government of India.
  2. Modified UDAN is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, whereas the original UDAN was implemented by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
  3. Modified UDAN has a ten-year horizon extending up to FY 2035-36.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which one of the following components has been allocated the LARGEST share of the Rs.28,840 crore outlay under the Modified UDAN scheme?

  • A. Development of 100 airports from unserved airstrips
  • B. Viability Gap Funding for airlines
  • C. Development of 200 modern helipads
  • D. Operation and Maintenance support for aerodromes

Q4. With reference to the component-wise allocation under Modified UDAN, consider the following statements: 1. The Viability Gap Funding component of Rs.10,043 crore is spread over the full ten-year period of the scheme. 2. The development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips is allocated Rs.12,159 crore over eight years. 3. The development of 200 modern helipads, allocated Rs.3,661 crore, is to be carried out over the full ten-year period of the scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Viability Gap Funding component of Rs.10,043 crore is spread over the full ten-year period of the scheme.
  2. The development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips is allocated Rs.12,159 crore over eight years.
  3. The development of 200 modern helipads, allocated Rs.3,661 crore, is to be carried out over the full ten-year period of the scheme.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Under UDAN 5.0, the earlier cap on the distance between the origin and destination of a flight — fixed at how many kilometres — was removed?

  • A. 400 km
  • B. 500 km
  • C. 600 km
  • D. 800 km

Q6. With reference to the successive rounds of the original RCS-UDAN, consider the following statements: 1. UDAN 2.0 connected helipads under the scheme for the first time. 2. UDAN 3.0 introduced tourism routes and seaplane connectivity to water aerodromes. 3. UDAN 5.1 was a dedicated bidding round designed specifically for fixed-wing Category-3 (above 80 seats) aircraft. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. UDAN 2.0 connected helipads under the scheme for the first time.
  2. UDAN 3.0 introduced tourism routes and seaplane connectivity to water aerodromes.
  3. UDAN 5.1 was a dedicated bidding round designed specifically for fixed-wing Category-3 (above 80 seats) aircraft.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. With reference to the cumulative achievements of the original RCS-UDAN scheme as on 28 February 2026, consider the following statements: 1. More than 700 routes had been operationalised under the scheme. 2. The scheme had operationalised 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes taken together. 3. The scheme had carried 162.47 lakh passengers across more than 3.41 lakh flights. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. More than 700 routes had been operationalised under the scheme.
  2. The scheme had operationalised 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes taken together.
  3. The scheme had carried 162.47 lakh passengers across more than 3.41 lakh flights.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Which one of the following was the first flight to be inaugurated under the original RCS-UDAN scheme in April 2017?

  • A. Shimla–Delhi
  • B. Kadapa–Hyderabad
  • C. Nanded–Hyderabad
  • D. Bareilly–Delhi

Q9. With reference to the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism under the UDAN scheme, consider the following statements: 1. VGF compensates airlines for the gap between operating cost and expected revenue on otherwise unviable regional routes. 2. Under the original scheme, the VGF requirement was met through a Regional Connectivity Fund financed by a levy on certain domestic flights. 3. Under Modified UDAN, VGF support to an airline on a route is provided for five years, tapering from the third year. 4. Under Modified UDAN, route exclusivity for the operator extends for the entire ten-year duration of the scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. VGF compensates airlines for the gap between operating cost and expected revenue on otherwise unviable regional routes.
  2. Under the original scheme, the VGF requirement was met through a Regional Connectivity Fund financed by a levy on certain domestic flights.
  3. Under Modified UDAN, VGF support to an airline on a route is provided for five years, tapering from the third year.
  4. Under Modified UDAN, route exclusivity for the operator extends for the entire ten-year duration of the scheme.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. Under the Modified UDAN scheme, for how many years is an airline provided Viability Gap Funding support on an awarded route?

  • A. 3 years
  • B. 5 years
  • C. 8 years
  • D. 10 years

Q11. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and institutional architecture of the Modified UDAN scheme, consider the following pairings/elements: 1. HAL Dhruv helicopters — for Pawan Hans. 2. HAL Dornier (Do-228) aircraft — for Alliance Air. 3. Airports Authority of India — implementing agency of the scheme. 4. HAL Tejas aircraft — for IndiGo. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified under the scheme?

  1. HAL Dhruv helicopters — for Pawan Hans.
  2. HAL Dornier (Do-228) aircraft — for Alliance Air.
  3. Airports Authority of India — implementing agency of the scheme.
  4. HAL Tejas aircraft — for IndiGo.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q12. The development of 100 airports from unserved airstrips and the connecting of Tier-2/Tier-3 cities under the Modified UDAN scheme is operationalised by which one of the following as the implementing agency?

  • A. Airports Authority of India
  • B. Directorate General of Civil Aviation
  • C. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security
  • D. Pawan Hans Limited