UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Cabinet Approves Modified UDAN to Deepen Regional Connectivity and Expand Inclusive Air Access Across India
Q1. Under which one of the following policy documents was the Regional Connectivity Scheme – UDAN originally conceptualised?
- A. National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016
- B. Vision 2040 for the Civil Aviation Sector in India
- C. Route Dispersal Guidelines, 1994
- D. Open Sky Air Services Policy, 1992
Q2. With reference to the successive versions of the UDAN scheme, consider the following pairings of a version with the feature it introduced:
1. UDAN 2.0 – connecting of helipads for the first time
2. UDAN 3.0 – inclusion of tourism routes and seaplanes for water aerodromes
3. UDAN 4.0 – extension of operations to hilly regions and islands
4. UDAN 5.0 – round designed specifically for helicopter routes
Which of the above pairings is/are NOT correctly matched?
- UDAN 2.0 – connecting of helipads for the first time
- UDAN 3.0 – inclusion of tourism routes and seaplanes for water aerodromes
- UDAN 4.0 – extension of operations to hilly regions and islands
- UDAN 5.0 – round designed specifically for helicopter routes
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 only
- C. 4 only
- D. 3 and 4
Q3. In the context of the Modified UDAN scheme, the term 'Viability Gap Funding (VGF)' most precisely refers to which one of the following?
- A. Financial support paid to airline operators to bridge the gap between the cost of operating thin regional routes and the revenue earned from capped fares
- B. A one-time capital grant to State governments for constructing terminal buildings at new airports
- C. A subsidy paid directly to passengers travelling on regional connectivity routes
- D. Operation and maintenance assistance disbursed to airport operators for running aerodromes
Q4. Among the major financial components of the Modified UDAN scheme, which one carries the single largest proposed outlay?
- A. Development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips
- B. Viability Gap Funding for airline operators
- C. Development of 200 modern helipads
- D. Operation and maintenance (O&M) support for aerodromes
Q5. Within the institutional architecture of the UDAN scheme, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) functions principally as which one of the following?
- A. The nodal implementing agency that bids out regional routes and disburses Viability Gap Funding
- B. The economic regulator that determines tariffs at major airports
- C. The safety regulator that licenses airlines and certifies aircraft
- D. The competition authority that approves airline route exclusivity
Q6. Under the Modified UDAN scheme, operation and maintenance (O&M) support is expected to be extended to approximately how many aerodromes?
Q7. With reference to the infrastructure and operator-support provisions of the Modified UDAN scheme, consider the following statements:
1. It targets the development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips.
2. It proposes 200 modern helipads for hilly, remote, island and aspirational regions.
3. Airline operators are to receive Viability Gap Funding for three years, identical to the period of route exclusivity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It targets the development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips.
- It proposes 200 modern helipads for hilly, remote, island and aspirational regions.
- Airline operators are to receive Viability Gap Funding for three years, identical to the period of route exclusivity.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q8. The inaugural flight of the UDAN scheme, marking the first operationalised regional connectivity route, connected which one of the following city pairs?
- A. Shimla – Delhi
- B. Kadapa – Hyderabad
- C. Nanded – Hyderabad
- D. Bhatinda – Delhi
Q9. As on 28 February 2026, how many routes have been operationalised over nine years of the UDAN scheme?
Q10. With reference to the cumulative performance and recognition of the UDAN scheme, consider the following statements:
1. More than 3.41 lakh flights have been operated under the scheme.
2. About 162.47 lakh passengers have been carried under the scheme.
3. The scheme has connected 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes.
4. The scheme received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2024.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- More than 3.41 lakh flights have been operated under the scheme.
- About 162.47 lakh passengers have been carried under the scheme.
- The scheme has connected 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes.
- The scheme received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2024.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 3 only
- C. 4 only
- D. 2 and 4
Q11. Which one of the following ministries is the implementing ministry for the UDAN scheme, including its focus areas in the North-East, hilly and island regions?
- A. Ministry of Civil Aviation
- B. Ministry of Tourism
- C. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- D. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Q12. With reference to the policy anchoring and recognition of the UDAN/Modified UDAN scheme, consider the following statements:
1. UDAN was conceptualised under the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016.
2. UDAN received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2020.
3. The Modified UDAN scheme is aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
4. UDAN's Prime Minister's Award was conferred under the category 'Innovation (General) – State'.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- UDAN was conceptualised under the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016.
- UDAN received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2020.
- The Modified UDAN scheme is aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
- UDAN's Prime Minister's Award was conferred under the category 'Innovation (General) – State'.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4