Read the following statements and choose the correct option based on them:
Assertion (A): The UDAN scheme enhances regional air connectivity.
Reason (R): It offers financial support to airlines through viability gap funding.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Assertion (A) is True: The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme's primary goal is indeed to improve regional air connectivity by making flying affordable for the common person.
Reason (R) is True and Explains (A): The scheme achieves this goal by using Viability Gap Funding (VGF). This financial support makes routes profitable for airlines that would otherwise be economically unviable, thus incentivizing them to operate flights to smaller, unserved, or underserved airports and establishing the necessary regional connectivity.