The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched the next phase of the UDAN scheme as Modified UDAN and explained its provisions at a stakeholder workshop in New Delhi on 17 July 2026. The policy significance lies in the shift from a connectivity-only model to a broader framework that also covers aerodrome development, operational support, and route allocation.

The Union government says the scheme is intended to expand regional air connectivity, promote balanced regional development, and extend aviation benefits beyond major cities. The workshop also placed the revised scheme in the context of India’s airport expansion and the revival of unutilized and unserved airstrips.

What happened now

The Ministry of Civil Aviation organised a workshop at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, bringing together airlines, airport operators, state governments, and other aviation stakeholders. The workshop was inaugurated by Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, in the presence of Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The Ministry also inaugurated a digital exhibition on UDAN and screened a short film on the scheme’s impact. A UDAN Scheme Document for the next phase was launched during the workshop, according to the Ministry.

Background and earlier position

Related current affairs