What this scheme offers
UDAN, formally the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), makes flying affordable on routes connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and previously unserved or underserved airports. On UDAN-designated routes, up to 50% of seats on a flight are offered at a capped fare — around ₹2,500 for roughly a 1-hour (500–600 km) sector, with proportionate caps for shorter or longer routes. The government bridges the gap between this capped fare and what it costs the airline to fly the route through Viability Gap Funding (VGF), shared between the Centre and the relevant state. Airlines are selected competitively to operate these routes, and receive additional support like reduced landing/parking charges and tax concessions on regional flights. In July 2026, the scheme was revamped as "Viksit UDAN" with a ₹28,840 crore outlay through FY2035-36, aiming to operationalise 100 more aerodromes and connect 120 new destinations over the next decade.
Who can use it
- Anyone booking a flight on a designated UDAN/RCS route — there's no income, occupation, or domicile requirement.
- Capped seats are limited (roughly 50% of seats, or up to 40 seats per flight) — once they sell out on a given flight, remaining seats go at market fare.
- The route network changes over time as new routes are awarded through bidding rounds — check current routes before planning travel.
How to book a capped-fare seat
- Check whether your intended route is a current UDAN/RCS route — the network has grown to cover 600+ routes and 80+ airports as of 2026, but it does change.
- Book through any regular airline website, app, or travel booking platform — UDAN seats are sold through normal channels, not a separate government portal.
- Book early: capped-fare seats are limited per flight and sell out first, after which remaining seats are priced at the regular market rate.
- The ₹2,500 figure is indicative for roughly a 1-hour flight; shorter regional hops (around 30 minutes) may be capped around ₹1,500, with the cap scaling for longer distances.