Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Viksit UDAN' (Revised UDAN Scheme), the next phase of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on 4 July 2026.

Key Highlights:

• It is the revised and upgraded version of the original UDAN Scheme, designed for the next 10 years.
• Total Financial Outlay: ₹28,840 crore.
• Implementation Period: FY 2026–27 to 2035–36 (10 years).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation, headed by Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
• Primary Objective: To promote affordable air travel in Tier-2, Tier-3, remote and hilly regions of India.
• Infrastructure Development: 100 new aerodromes (airports) and 200 modern helipads.
• Financial Support: ₹10,043 crore as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for airlines.
• Special Focus: Promoting the use of indigenous aircraft in hilly and North-Eastern states.
• 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' & Indigenisation: Special emphasis on deploying HAL Dhruv helicopters and Dornier Do-228 aircraft in underserved and remote regions.
• The Union Cabinet approved the revised UDAN Scheme on 25 March 2026.

Major Components & Budget Allocation:

New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport :

• On the occasion, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport.
• Construction Cost: ₹480 crore.
• Connectivity Boost: The new terminal will strengthen air connectivity for Jodhpur (the Blue City of Rajasthan and the gateway to the Thar Desert).
• Economic Impact: It will significantly boost tourism, trade, and regional economic growth.

Capacity & Size:

• Total Area: 23,342 sq. metres.
• Annual Passenger Capacity: 2 million (20 lakh) passengers.
• Peak Hour Capacity: 1,500 passengers at a time.

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) :

• Launch Date: 21 October 2016 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• First Flight: Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 April 2017 between Shimla and Delhi.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Vision: To make air travel affordable and accessible for the common citizen.

Different Phases of the UDAN Scheme :

• UDAN 1.0 (2017): 128 routes awarded to 5 airlines, connecting 36 new airports.
• UDAN 2.0 (2018): Introduced helipads and connected remote regions including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and the North-East.
• UDAN 3.0 (2019): Included tourism routes and water aerodromes (seaplanes).
• UDAN 4.0 (2020): Focused on the North-East, hilly states, and islands such as Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• UDAN 5.0 (2023): Focused on Category-2 (20–80 seats) and Category-3 (more than 80 seats) aircraft and removed route distance restrictions.
• Viksit UDAN (2026): The latest phase with a ₹28,840 crore budget, aimed at modernising regional aviation infrastructure over the next 10 years.