🔆 UDAN – Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) 📍 Why in the News? ✅ CAG Audit Report on the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) was presented in Parliament. 📍 Quick Facts ✅ Purpose: Enable air operations on underserved/unserved routes, promote balanced regional growth, and make flying affordable. ✅ Type: Central Sector Scheme ✅ Support to Airlines: Concessions & Viability Gap Funding (VGF) ✅ Tenure: 10 years 📍 Objective ✅ Strengthen aviation infrastructure and enhance air connectivity in Tier II & Tier III cities. 📍 Salient Features ✅ Background: Launched under National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016. ✅ Fiscal support & infrastructure development for regional air connectivity. ✅ Airlines to provide 50% of seats at subsidized rates. ✅ Airfare capped at ₹2500 for 500-600 km per seat (subject to indexation). ✅ Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF): Self-financing mechanism via a levy on domestic flights. ✅ Demand & Market-Based Model: RCS available only in States & airports providing concessions. State governments to provide free security, utilities at concessional rates, & free land for RCS airports. ✅ Funding Support: 80% VGF by Centre, 20% by States (10% for NE States, UK, HP, UTs). ✅ Flexible Route Selection: Airlines propose regional routes & seek VGF. 📍 Key Initiatives Under UDAN ✅ Lifeline UDAN – Assisted India’s COVID-19 fight. ✅ Krishi UDAN – Helped farmers transport agricultural produce, benefiting northeast & tribal districts. ✅ International Air Connectivity Scheme (IACS) – Aided State Governments in international airport connectivity. #government_schemes