N.K. Chauhan 
UDAN (UdeDeshkaAamNagrik) Scheme has been selected for Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2020 under the category "Innovation (General) – Central".
The Ministry of Civil Aviation plans and commits to construct 100 new airports by 2024 in India with 1,000 new routes under UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) scheme by the year 2026.
Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN)
Nearly five years ago, in 2016 PM Modi launched the first flight under Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, also known as regional connectivity scheme (RCS).The first flight under UDAN scheme took off on 27 April 2017 from Jubbarhatti Airport, Shimla to New Delhi.
The aim of the scheme was to take flying to the masses and improve air connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Under the scheme, airlines have to cap fares at ₹2,500 per seat per hour of flight for 50% of the seats in a plane for which they receive a viability gap funding (subsidy) from the government along with some other benefits.
It has a target of operationalising as many as 100 unserved and underserved airports and starting at least 1,000 air routes under regional connectivity scheme (RCS).
Till date, 387 routes and 60 airports have been operationalised out of which 100 routes are awarded in the North East alone.
Under the KRISHI UDAN Scheme, 16 airports have been identified to enhance the export opportunities of the North East region establishing dual benefits of enhancement of cargo movements and exports.
UDAN 1.0
Under this phase, 5 airlines companies were awarded 128 flight routes to 70 airports (including 36 newly made operational airports).UDAN 2.0
In 2018, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced 73 underserved and unserved airports.For the first time, helipads were also connected under phase 2 of the UDAN scheme.
UDAN 3.0
Inclusion of Tourism Routes under UDAN 3 in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism.Inclusion of Seaplanes for connecting Water Aerodromes.
Bringing in a number of routes in the North-East Region under the ambit of UDAN.
UDAN 4.0
In 2020, 78 new routes were approved under the 4th round of RCS-UDAN to further enhance the connectivity to remote & regional areas of the country.Kavaratti, Agatti, and Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep will be connected by the new routes of UDAN 4.0.
UDAN 4.1
The UDAN 4.1 focuses on connecting smaller airports, along with special helicopter and seaplane routes.Some new routes have been proposed under the Sagarmala Seaplane services.
Sagarmala Seaplane Services is an ambitious project under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with potential airline operators.
Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
.jpeg)
