UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 22 September 2026

8 issues picked from 42 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. PM-JAY completes eight years: 48.51 crore cards, 13.25 crore admissions, cover widened to elderly and ASHAs.
Corporate Social Responsibility (Section 135, Companies Act, 2013). Coal India has overspent its legal CSR requirement; Coal Ministry launched a sector-wide CSR framework.
Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations (TRAI). TRAI mandates voice-and-SMS-only vouchers in shorter validities, giving low-income users cheaper, more flexible recharge options.
India Cine Hub. NFDC's India Cine Hub gives filmmakers one online window for permits, visas and co-production approvals.
OPEC-India Energy Dialogue. India and OPEC held their 7th high-level energy dialogue in New Delhi; the 8th will be in Vienna.
Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes and SMILE. Social Justice Ministry reports progress of venture capital funds for SC and BC and SMILE begging rehabilitation.
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). Modified UDAN begins: 21 State/UT MoUs, Challenge Mode portal and route bidding document released.
National Single Window System (NSWS). NSWS, DPIIT's single-window approvals portal, completes five years with wider Central and State integration.

Scheme

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

GS2 Health · Welfare schemesGS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 22 September 2026, PIB marked the eighth anniversary (23 September) of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, reporting that about 33% of India's population holds Ayushman cards and 13.25 crore admissions worth Rs 2.03 lakh crore have been funded.
What it is: Ayushman Vay Vandana is an extension of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to every citizen aged 70 years and above, whatever their income. It was launched by the Prime Minister on 29 October 2024. It is run by the National Health Authority and gives cashless hospital cover for secondary and tertiary care.

Eligibility: All citizens aged 70 and above are eligible, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Cover: Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
Top-up for covered families: Seniors in families already under PM-JAY get an extra top-up of up to ₹5 lakh a year, only for themselves.
Implementing agency: The National Health Authority implements it under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Most common procedure: Cataract surgery is the most availed procedure, about 20.1% of authorised treatments.
Highest value procedure: PTCA (coronary angioplasty) has the largest share of authorised value, about ₹649 crore.
Expansion to senior citizens: The scheme now covers all citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Secure Data Environment: Developed by NHA with IISc Bengaluru, it gives governed access to de-identified PM-JAY and ABDM data for research, with outputs reviewed before release.
National Health Claims Exchange: NHCX seeks to put hospitals and insurers on one common digital platform for claims.
Scale of ABDM: More than 97.8 crore ABHAs have been created and over 121 crore health records linked.
Portability recognition: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat were recognised as top performers in claim settlement for inter-State portability.
Beneficiary identification: Families are identified from SECC 2011 deprivation and occupational criteria. Families earlier covered under RSBY are also included.
Expansion to elderly: On 11 September 2024 the scheme was extended to all citizens aged 70 and above, about 6 crore people.
Coverage: The scheme now operates in all 36 States/UTs.
Senior citizens: Citizens aged 70 and above are covered irrespective of socio-economic status: 6 crore people in 4.5 crore families.
ASHA and Anganwadi inclusion: About 37 lakh additional families of ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers were added in March 2024.
Portability: Beneficiaries can get cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital in the country. By 30 June 2026, 29.05 lakh inter-state admissions worth over Rs 8,383.97 crore were authorised.
Base families: The original PM-JAY targets 12 crore families, the bottom 40% of the population.
Expansion: In October 2024 the scheme was extended to 6 crore senior citizens aged 70+ from 4.5 crore families, regardless of socio-economic status.
Cards issued: More than 96.73 lakh Vay Vandana cards had been created across all States and UTs by 31.12.2025.
Launch: PM-JAY was launched in 2018 and is implemented by the National Health Authority.

Don’t confuse with Vay Vandana vs PM-JAY: PM-JAY covers eligible poor and vulnerable families; Vay Vandana covers all aged 70+ regardless of income.

Don’t confuse with Vay Vandana vs Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: Vay Vandana gives hospital cover; the Digital Mission builds a digital health ID and records system.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs ABDM: PM-JAY is the health assurance (insurance) scheme for hospital care. ABDM is the digital health ecosystem built on ABHA IDs and health records.

Don’t confuse with Ayushman Card vs ABHA ID: The Ayushman Card shows PM-JAY eligibility. The ABHA is a health ID that links a person's health records.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs PM-ABHIM: PM-JAY pays for hospital treatment of eligible families. PM-ABHIM builds health infrastructure such as health centres, labs and critical care blocks.

Don’t confuse with ABHA vs Ayushman card: ABHA is a digital health ID for anyone under ABDM. The Ayushman card shows eligibility for PM-JAY cover.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: PM-JAY gives cashless hospital cover. ABDM builds digital health records and infrastructure.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Health and Wellness Centres: Health and Wellness Centres (Ayushman Arogya Mandir) give primary care. PM-JAY covers secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.

Don’t confuse with PM-JAY vs Vay Vandana: PM-JAY targets poor families by socio-economic criteria; Vay Vandana covers all citizens aged 70+ regardless of income.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Why it matters

Gives financial protection to about 6 crore elderly, reducing out-of-pocket hospital spending.
Cashless cover reduces out-of-pocket spending for poor and elderly families.
Portability helps migrant workers use the scheme across States.
Gives cashless hospital care and cuts catastrophic out-of-pocket spending for poor families.
Moves India towards universal health coverage, with the elderly, ASHAs and gig-type urban workers brought in.
Links insurance with primary care, digital records and infrastructure under one Ayushman Bharat framework.
Portability protects migrant workers who fall ill away from home.
Cashless cover reduces out-of-pocket spending and moves India towards Universal Health Coverage.
Gives older people, who face high health costs, financial protection irrespective of income.

Problems

Cover is only for hospitalisation, so outpatient and medicine costs remain with families.
Claim processing and programme integrity need stronger checks, which is why auto-adjudication is being introduced.
Health data sharing needs consent and privacy safeguards, and ABHA adoption is yet to reach saturation.
Eligibility rests on SECC 2011 data, which may exclude newly poor families.
Uneven uptake and hospital empanelment across States, with risks of claim delays and fraud.
Cover is for inpatient care, while much household spending is on outpatient care and medicines.
States differ in how well they run the scheme, and some run their own schemes alongside it.
Empanelled hospitals may refuse patients or delay claims, so access on the ground can be uneven.
Hospital empanelment gaps and claim delays can limit access to cashless care.

Way forward

Widen coverage to outpatient care and strengthen monitoring of private hospital claims.
Strengthen NHCX, standard treatment protocols and common billing formats to improve quality and claims.
Improve continuity of care and referral systems while protecting personal data.
Update beneficiary databases and widen coverage to outpatient care.
Strengthen claim audit, grievance redress and timely payment to hospitals.
Expand public hospitals and primary care so the scheme does not rely only on private providers.
Improve awareness of portability and speed up claim settlement.
Further integrate state schemes with PM-JAY and monitor hospital conduct.
Widen empanelment and speed up claim settlement using digital systems.

Put in your answer

Beneficiary base: Around 6 crore seniors in about 4.5 crore families are targeted.

PM-JAY scale: More than 60 crore beneficiaries covered, over 13 crore hospital admissions, and treatment worth over Rs 2 lakh crore.

Standard treatment workflows: ICMR has developed more than 150 standard treatment workflows, and HTAIn under DHR assesses cost-effectiveness of health technologies.

Scale of PM-JAY: 13.25 crore admissions worth Rs 2.03 lakh crore funded, with 38,000+ empanelled hospitals.

Digital health spine: Over 97.61 crore ABHA IDs operational, linking health records across providers.

Portability data: 29.05 lakh inter-state admissions worth over Rs 8,383.97 crore were authorised by 30 June 2026.

Senior citizen expansion: The scheme covers 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 and above in 4.5 crore families, irrespective of income.

Test yourselfMains

True or false?

1 of 19

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.Ayushman Vay Vandana is open to citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status.
2.It is implemented by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
3.It covers outpatient consultations and medicines as its main benefit.
4.Senior citizens from families already covered under PM-JAY receive an additional top-up of up to ₹5 lakh per year meant only for themselves.
5.The top-up cover for seniors in covered families is shared with all family members.
6.Chronic haemodialysis is the most frequently availed procedure under the initiative.
7.Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, of which this is an extension, was launched in 2018.
8.AB PM-JAY is a centrally sponsored scheme.
9.Under AB PM-JAY, the Centre and States share funds in the ratio 60:40 for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
10.Rural beneficiaries under AB PM-JAY are identified using deprivation criteria from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011.
11.AB PM-JAY covers primary healthcare only, which is delivered at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
12.The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was launched in September 2021 and is built on ABHA digital health IDs.
13.Transgender persons covered under the SMILE initiative and workers covered under NAMASTE are among the additional categories eligible under AB PM-JAY.
14.Ayushman Vay Vandana card covers senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status.
15.AB-PMJAY provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
16.The Ayushman Vay Vandana card was introduced in October 2024 as an expansion of PM-JAY.
17.Female beneficiaries account for more hospital admissions than male beneficiaries under Ayushman Vay Vandana.
18.PM-JAY is implemented at the national level by the National Health Authority.
19.PM-JAY was launched in 2014 as a centrally sponsored scheme.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 22 Sep, 14:27 IST · Release 295081

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Corporate Social Responsibility (Section 135, Companies Act, 2013)

GS3 Economy · CSRGS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 22 September 2026, the Ministry of Coal released a note on Coal India Limited's CSR. CIL spent Rs 7,276 crore against a required Rs 5,795 crore from FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26.
What it is: Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 makes CSR a legal duty for companies above set size limits. They spend a share of average net profits on Schedule VII activities, under a Board CSR Committee. The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) is an institute under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs that works on corporate governance, CSR and related policy.

Organiser: NCCSR 2026 was organised by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Report released: The India CSR Factbook 2024–25 was released as a consolidated reference on India's CSR landscape.
Coal sector framework: A sector-specific framework was released to make coal-sector CSR more structured, need-based and outcome-oriented.
Theme: The conference theme was a shift from compliance to commitment, linked to Viksit Bharat.
CSR Exchange Portal: Companies were invited to register on the CSR Exchange Portal, which connects CSR stakeholders.
CIL spend vs requirement: From FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26, CIL spent Rs 7,276 crore against a required Rs 5,795 crore.
CIL local-area rule: CIL's own policy puts at least 80% of annual CSR spend within 25 km of mines and establishments, with priority to Project Affected Areas.
Sector-wide framework: On 8 September the Ministry of Coal became the first Union Ministry to launch a sector-wide CSR framework for coal PSUs.

Don’t confuse with CSR Factbook vs CSR law: The Factbook is a reference compilation of CSR data. The legal duty comes from Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 and Schedule VII.

Don’t confuse with IICA vs MCA: IICA is an institute under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The Ministry is the policy-making department.

Don’t confuse with CIL's 80% rule vs Section 135: The 80% spend within 25 km of mines is CIL's own policy. It is not a requirement of the Companies Act.

Don’t confuse with CSR vs Community Development: CD under the 2005 policy was voluntary welfare around mines. CSR under Section 135 is a legal obligation.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: CSR under Section 135 is a lasting syllabus topic with numbers, but this release is a company-specific account; Prelims asks laws mostly for features (15 of 23).

Source: PIB, Ministry of Coal, 22 Sep, 12:07 IST · Release 295069

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations (TRAI)

GS2 Regulatory bodies · Consumer protectionGS3 TelecomPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 22 September 2026, TRAI released the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026. It requires operators to offer Voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers in shorter validities.
What it is: The Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations (TCPR) are rules framed by TRAI to protect telecom subscribers, covering tariff, information and service quality matters. They are amended from time to time. The Thirteenth Amendment targets the shortage of affordable short-validity voice-and-SMS-only vouchers.

Regulator: TRAI is the telecom regulator that framed this amendment, after a draft consultation.
Legal basis: TRAI is a statutory body set up under the TRAI Act, 1997.

Don’t confuse with TRAI vs DoT: TRAI is the regulator that issues regulations and recommendations. The Department of Telecommunications is the government department that sets policy and issues licences.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A regulation amendment on a statutory body's tariff rules is worth a card, but it is narrow and unlikely to be set as a question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Communications, 22 Sep, 13:04 IST · Release 295072

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

India Cine Hub

GS3 Economy · Services sectorGS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 22 September 2026, PIB published a explainer on the India Cine Hub, the NFDC-run single-window portal for film shooting permits, film visas and co-production applications, now extending to live event permissions.
What it is: The India Cine Hub (ICH) is a digital single-window portal for film shooting permissions across India. It is run by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It links state systems, central ministries and nodal officers so that domestic and foreign creators deal with one platform.

Operator: The portal is managed by NFDC, a Government of India organisation set up to promote the Indian film industry.
NFDC origin: NFDC was established in 1975. It later absorbed the Film Finance Corporation and the Indian Motion Picture Export Corporation.
Film Bazaar: NFDC hosts Film Bazaar India, a South Asian co-production and distribution market, alongside IFFI in Goa.
Features: ICH offers a common application form for states without online processing, helps foreigners get a Film Visa, and processes co-production applications.
Live events: The platform is expanding to live event permissions, serving as digital infrastructure for the Live Events Development Cell, with 9 venues onboarded.
Sector size: The film, TV and online content sector earned USD 13.1 billion in FY2024.

Don’t confuse with NFDC vs Films Division: NFDC is the parent body today; the Films Division, Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Archive and Children's Film Society were merged into it after a 2020 mandate.

Don’t confuse with Mumbai Film City vs Ramoji Film City: Mumbai Film City (Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari) was set up by the Maharashtra government in 1977; Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad was set up by a private group in 1996.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A single-window portal run by NFDC is a lasting topic, but facts are thin for a statement; schemes mostly test features, though this is a portal.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 22 Sep, 13:59 IST · Release 295079

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

International relations

OPEC-India Energy Dialogue

GS2 International relations · EnergyGS3 Energy securityPrelims and Mains

Why in news: The 7th High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 22 September 2026. It was co-chaired by Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais.
What it is: The OPEC-India Energy Dialogue is a standing forum between India, a major oil consumer, and OPEC, the group of oil-producing countries. It brings producers and a large consumer together to discuss market stability, investment and energy security. It works through high-level meetings and technical-level cooperation.

Co-chairs: The meeting was co-chaired by India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister and the OPEC Secretary General.
Launch: The dialogue was launched in New Delhi in 2015, so it is eleven years old.
Agenda: Talks covered oil market stability, energy security and timely investment across the oil industry.
Next meeting: The 8th High-Level Meeting will be held in Vienna, Austria, on a date yet to be fixed.
OPEC headquarters: OPEC's secretariat is based in Vienna, Austria.

Don’t confuse with OPEC vs OPEC+: OPEC is the organisation of oil-exporting member countries. OPEC+ adds non-OPEC producers such as Russia for coordinating output. The dialogue is with OPEC.

Don’t confuse with OPEC vs IEA: OPEC represents producers. The International Energy Agency (IEA) mainly represents energy consumers, and India is an association country of the IEA, not a full member.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: OPEC is a Prelims-relevant body (international bodies 61 of 327), but this dialogue meeting adds no new decision or fact to test.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, 22 Sep, 14:38 IST · Release 295083

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes and SMILE

GS2 Welfare schemes · Vulnerable sectionsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 22 September 2026 the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment released an update on its Economic Inclusion Division schemes. It covered the Venture Capital Funds for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and the begging rehabilitation component of SMILE.
What it is: The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC) gives concessional finance to SC-owned companies so they can set up and expand viable enterprises. A similar fund exists for Backward Classes. SMILE is a Ministry scheme with a component for the comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging.

VCF-SC corpus and terms: The fund has a corpus of Rs 750 crore. It gives assistance of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 crore at 4 per cent interest.
ASIIM: The Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission was launched under VCF-SC on 30 September 2020. It gives up to Rs 30 lakh to young SC researchers and students for innovative ideas.
SMILE begging rehabilitation: The initiative was launched on 23 October 2023. Central assistance of Rs 46.16 crore has been released up to FY 2025-26.
Implementing ministry: These schemes are run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through its Economic Inclusion Division.

Don’t confuse with VCF-SC vs VCF-BC: VCF-SC has a Rs 750 crore corpus, 4 per cent interest and a minimum of Rs 10 lakh. VCF-BC has Rs 200 crore, 6 per cent and a minimum of Rs 20 lakh.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Schemes with corpus, loan size and rate are lasting topics, but this is a progress update and Prelims asks schemes on fresh features.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 22 Sep, 18:04 IST · Release 295096

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)

GS3 Infrastructure · AviationGS2 Centre-StatePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 22 September 2026, the Civil Aviation Ministry signed 21 MoUs with States/UTs for the next phase of UDAN, launched a Challenge Mode Portal for Aerodrome Development and released the Scheme Document for the next route bidding round.
What it is: UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) is the Centre's regional air connectivity scheme, begun in 2016. It links unserved and underserved airports by having airlines bid for routes. The Airports Authority of India implements it.

Launch: The Regional Connectivity Scheme, branded UDAN, was launched on 21 October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
First flight: The first UDAN flight ran from Shimla to Delhi in April 2017.
Modified UDAN outlay and period: The next phase runs ten years, FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36, with a total outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.
Airline support: Rs 10,043 crore of VGF is for airlines over ten years. Support is for up to five years, tapering from the third year, and route exclusivity is limited to three years.
Centre-State MoUs: 21 MoUs were signed between the Government, participating States/UTs and the AAI.
Implementing agency: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the implementing agency. The 21 MoUs were signed among the Ministry, the States/UTs and AAI.
Challenge Mode: States and UTs can nominate airstrips and helipads for development under the next phase through a dedicated portal.
Four pillars of Modified UDAN: Affordability for passengers, sustainability of operations, a transparent Challenge Mode framework, and promotion of indigenous manufacturing.
Route bidding: Airlines bid for identified UDAN routes, so routes and operators are chosen competitively.
Achievements so far: The Minister said UDAN has operationalised 687 routes and 95 aerodromes.
Targets of Modified UDAN: The MoS said Modified UDAN aims at 120 new destinations and 4 crore more passengers over the next ten years.
Outlay and period: Modified UDAN runs for ten years, FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36, with an outlay of ₹28,840 crore.
VGF terms: Airlines get Viability Gap Funding for up to five years. Tapering starts from the third year. Route exclusivity is limited to three years.
RCS levy: UDAN is funded from within the sector by a small levy on selected domestic flights, described as a first-of-its-kind model.
Indigenous aircraft: The scheme proposes two HAL Dhruv helicopters for Pawan Hans and two HAL Dornier aircraft for Alliance Air.
Launch of Modified UDAN: The Prime Minister launched Modified UDAN on 4 July 2026 from Jodhpur Airport.
AOP condition for bidders: Airlines without an Air Operator Permit (AOP) cannot bid for routes. A failed bidder is barred from the re-bidding.
Track record: Since October 2016 UDAN has operationalised 669 routes and connected 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes, with over 1.66 crore passengers.
Outlay and approval: The Union Cabinet approved the Modified UDAN Scheme on 25 March 2026, with about ₹29,000 crore over ten years.

Don’t confuse with UDAN vs Modified UDAN: UDAN (2016) funded VGF mainly for airlines on routes. Modified UDAN (2026) adds aerodrome capex, O&M support, helipads and indigenous aircraft purchase.

Don’t confuse with AAI vs DGCA: AAI builds and manages airports and implements UDAN; DGCA regulates safety and licensing.

Don’t confuse with UDAN vs Challenge Mode: UDAN is the overall scheme with airline route bidding. Challenge Mode is the new route for States/UTs to nominate airstrips and helipads for development.

Don’t confuse with VGF period vs exclusivity: VGF lasts up to five years, with tapering from year three. Route exclusivity is only three years.

Don’t confuse with Scheme period vs component period: The scheme runs ten years. Aerodrome and helipad outlays are over eight years, and VGF over ten.

Don’t confuse with RCS vs UDAN: The Regional Connectivity Scheme is the official name; UDAN is its brand name.

Don’t confuse with Served vs underserved airport: An unserved airport has no scheduled flights. An underserved one has few flights, below the departure, city-pair and passenger thresholds.

Don’t confuse with UDAN vs Viksit UDAN: Viksit UDAN is the name for the Modified UDAN Scheme, the next phase of the same scheme, not a new scheme.

Don’t confuse with Helipads vs aerodromes: The 200 figure is for modern helipads; 100 is for aerodromes from unserved airstrips.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Why it matters

Improves access to air travel for remote and underserved regions, supporting tourism, medical access, trade and jobs.
Centre-State partnership and indigenous aircraft support (HAL Dhruv, Dornier) tie into Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Improves air access to remote and unserved regions, supporting tourism, trade and jobs.
Brings States in as partners in building aviation infrastructure.
Extends air links to small towns, hilly and island areas, helping balanced regional development.
Helipads improve access to healthcare and emergency response in difficult terrain.
Links Tier-II and Tier-III cities to air networks and supports balanced regional development.
Helps trade and tourism, for example litchi exports from Darbhanga and marble exports from Kishangarh.
Extends affordable air links to remote and Tier-2 and Tier-3 areas, supporting trade, tourism and jobs.
Promotes domestic aircraft and helicopters, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Problems

Airline viability on thin regional routes depends on subsidy; support is time-bound.
Hilly terrain in the North-East leaves most identified aerodromes non-operational (12 of 52).
Routes can become unviable once subsidy or support ends, so operations may not be sustainable.
Small airports have high recurring costs and thin revenue, so routes may close once support ends.
Airlines depend on VGF, so long-term commercial viability is uncertain.
Many routes have stopped after the VGF period ended, so route sustainability is weak.
Airlines bid beyond their capacity, delaying routes, and low-traffic airports struggle to remain viable.
Many UDAN routes depend on subsidy and may close once viability gap funding ends.
Low demand and thin infrastructure at small airports strain airline finances.

Way forward

Build aerodromes and O&M support so routes stay operational after VGF ends.
Use State-led nominations through the Challenge Mode Portal and sustain Centre-State coordination.
Choose locations with real demand and keep the bidding transparent so that routes last.
Taper support gradually and build demand through local tourism and trade links.
Prioritise sustainable routes and keep the sector-funded levy working.
Tapered 5-year VGF, O&M support and slots at metro airports can help routes survive.
Tie awards to business plans and aircraft availability, and prioritise state-recommended routes.
Build demand through multimodal links, tourism and cargo to make routes self-sustaining.
Phase out subsidy as routes mature and monitor route continuity.

Put in your answer

VGF disbursed: Rs 5091.23 crore disbursed as VGF as of 15 October 2026.

Airport growth: Operational airports rose from 74 in 2014 to 166; India is the third-largest domestic aviation market.

UDAN performance data: 687 routes and 95 aerodromes operationalised, about 1.71 crore passengers carried.

Employment impact: Aviation-sector jobs rose from about 3 million in 2014 to nearly 7.7 million, as stated by the Minister.

Example airports: Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh and Purnea in Bihar are cited as airports that were once cut off.

VGF outlay: ₹10,043 crore is proposed towards VGF over ten years.

Record traffic: India recorded its highest monthly domestic air traffic in May, over 1.5 crore passengers.

UDAN performance: 669 routes operationalised and 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes connected, with 1.66 crore passengers carried since 2016.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 23

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Regional Connectivity Scheme, known as UDAN, was launched in 2016 following the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
2.The first UDAN flight operated from Shimla to Delhi.
3.Modified UDAN will run for five years with a total outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.
4.Under Modified UDAN, Viability Gap Funding for airlines is available for up to five years, with route exclusivity limited to three years.
5.Under Modified UDAN, 100 airports are to be developed from existing unserved airstrips.
6.The Challenge Mode Portal allows private airlines to nominate airstrips and helipads for development.
7.Under UDAN, routes are allotted to airlines through a market-based selection process.
8.Under Modified UDAN, Operation and Maintenance support for aerodromes is proposed for a period of three years.
9.Under Modified UDAN, airlines receive Viability Gap Funding for up to three years.
10.The Modified UDAN scheme proposes to develop 200 modern helipads.
11.Modified UDAN is to be implemented over five years with an outlay of ₹28,840 crore.
12.The RCS levy under UDAN is a fee on selected categories of domestic flights, used to fund the scheme from within the aviation sector.
13.The Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN was launched in October 2016.
14.Modified UDAN proposes HAL Dornier aircraft for Pawan Hans and HAL Dhruv helicopters for Alliance Air.
15.Under the existing UDAN scheme, Viability Gap Funding to airlines is limited to 3 years.
16.Modified UDAN provides VGF for 5 years, with the amount tapering from Year 3 onwards.
17.Under Modified UDAN, airlines without an Air Operator Permit may still bid for routes to promote new entrants.
18.Modified UDAN provides for 3-year operation and maintenance support for manpower salary costs at aerodromes developed under RCS.
19.The UDAN scheme was begun under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
20.The Modified UDAN Scheme has an approved outlay of about ₹29,000 crore over ten years.
21.The scheme promotes the use of indigenous aircraft such as HAL Dhruv and Dornier in underserved regions.
22.UDAN was launched in October 2016.
23.Under UDAN, airlines bid for routes and receive viability gap funding.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Civil Aviation, 22 Sep, 19:10 IST · Release 295100

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

National Single Window System (NSWS)

GS3 Economy · Ease of doing businessGS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 22 September 2026, PIB marked five years of the National Single Window System, with updated coverage figures and new integrations such as digital IEM and Industrial Licence processing.
What it is: The National Single Window System is a digital portal run by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It helps investors find the approvals their business needs and apply for and track them through one interface. It brings Central and State approvals together to cut duplication and compliance burden.

Launch and implementer: NSWS was launched on 22 September 2021 and is implemented by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Know Your Approvals (KYA): KYA identifies the approvals applicable to a business based on its proposed activities. Its guidance is advisory and not legal advice.
Single Business ID: NSWS uses PAN as the Single Business ID. Authorised representatives are authenticated through DSC, and sole proprietors through DigiLocker.
FDI integration: The Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal is integrated with NSWS, giving a single window for FDI applications that need Government approval.
Fees: Registration on NSWS is free. Applicants pay the statutory fees set by the concerned authority through the portal.
Flagship gateways: NSWS is a common gateway for approvals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Ethanol Policy, Vehicle Scrapping Policy and the Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme.

Don’t confuse with NSWS vs State Single Window Systems: NSWS is the national portal. State single windows are run by States, and NSWS links to them through a State Registration Form.

Don’t confuse with NSWS vs Invest India: NSWS handles approvals and applications. Invest India is the national investment promotion and facilitation agency.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting DPIIT portal with launch date and features; moderate Prelims chance but not likely to be set as a question.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 22 Sep, 21:40 IST · Release 295108

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, India-Japan air exercise (IAF and JASDF), concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 22 September 2026 after 14 days.
Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024; the President presented the 72nd National Film Awards at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 22 September 2026.

Source: PIB, 22 Sep

What we left out: 32 of 42 releases

Speeches without a decision (4)
Same issue as another release (4)
Company performance updates (1)
Ceremonies and campaigns (8)
Routine drive tests (1)
Same issue as on file (4)
Congratulatory messages (2)
Courtesy meetings (1)
Individual success stories (2)
Visits without a decision (2)
Conferences and meetings (2)
Routine MoUs (1)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1Ayushman Bharat PM-JAYMCQ · 19 true or false
2UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)MCQ · 23 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

On the eighth anniversary of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, about 33% of India's population holds Ayushman cards and 13.25 crore hospital admissions worth Rs 2.03 lakh crore have been funded. Discuss the main provisions of the scheme, its significance for universal health coverage, and the challenges in its implementation.

From: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

Write and get it marked

Keep reading

The day before

Monday, 21 September 2026India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement · Pharmacovigilance Programme of India and Biovigilance Programme · GSDP Estimates by Expenditure Approach (Base Year 2022-23) and 3 more

The day after

Wednesday, 23 September 2026Election Commission of India and Article 324 · KAVACH Automatic Train Protection · IMEI Tampering and Telecommunications Act, 2023 and 9 more

All days

Practice · 2 Mains question