Trying to make the local airplane travel business strong and active again
SubjectWho/What
the Union Cabinet
The top group of ministers in the Indian central government
VerbWhat is happening
has signed off on
Has given official permission or approval for something
ObjectWhat receives action
a ‘Modified UDAN’ scheme
A new, updated plan for the government’s regional flight program
AdjunctAdditional info
with a sixfold higher outlay
With a budget or spending plan that is six times larger than the previous one
Context and Background
What is UDAN?
UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional airport development and connectivity program launched in 2016. Its goal is to make air travel affordable for common citizens and connect smaller cities (Tier-2 and Tier-3) to major airports.
Sentence 2 of 12
English Original
The schemehad first been launchedto expand aviation to interior areas,using scheduled commuter airlines.
To bring plane travel to deep, remote parts of the country far from big cities
AdjunctAdditional info
using scheduledcommuter airlines
By employing small airline companies that fly on a regular, fixed timetable
Sentence 3 of 12
English Original
Even then,industry analysts and expertshad complainedthat UDAN did not make a viable business case for small regional airlinesdue to a lack of supporting infrastructure, low or unpredictable passenger demand, insufficient coverage of operating costs, and lack of awareness.
Past PerfectAdjunct + Subject + Verb + Object + AdjunctMain Clause (with a subordinate noun clause)Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
AdjunctAdditional info
Even then
Even during the early stages of the scheme
SubjectWho/What
industry analysts and experts
People who study the aviation business carefully and have deep knowledge about it
VerbWhat is happening
had complained
Had expressed their dissatisfaction or warned about problems
ObjectWhat receives action
that UDAN did not make a viablebusiness case for small regional airlines
That the plan did not show how small airlines could run profitably or stay in business
AdjunctAdditional info
due to a lack of supporting infrastructure, low or unpredictable passenger demand, insufficient coverage of operating costs, and lack of awareness
Because there were no airports, not enough passengers, not enough income to pay for fuel/staff, and people didn’t know about the flights
Sentence 4 of 12
English Original
In Modified UDAN,the subsidy period for tier-II and tier-III routeshas been increasedfrom three to 10 years,andfrom seven to 10 years for routes in the North-east and hilly areas.
the subsidy period for tier-II and tier-III routes
The number of years the government will help pay for flights to smaller cities
VerbWhat is happening
has been increased
Has been made longer or more than before
AdjunctAdditional info
from three to 10 years, and from seven to 10 years for routes in the North-east and hilly areas
The time was changed from 3 to 10 years for small cities, and from 7 to 10 years for mountain areas
Sentence 5 of 12
English Original
The most significant difference in Modified UDANisthat the exchequer will fund the subsidies directly,meaning airlines will not be required to levy an additional charge from passengers.
Simple Present and Simple FutureSubject + Verb + Object Clause + Adjunct ClauseMain Clause with Subordinate ClausesComplex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
SubjectWho/What
The most significant difference in Modified UDAN
The biggest change in the new flight plan
ObjectWhat receives action
that the exchequer will fund the subsidies directly
That the government’s central bank account will pay the support money
AdjunctAdditional info
meaning airlines will not be required to levy an additional charge from passengers
So airlines won’t have to ask people for more money per ticket
Sentence 6 of 12
English Original
The schemealsowill payfor ongoing costs such as staffing and maintenance of low-traffic airports.
The government will give the money needed to cover costs
AdjunctAdditional info
ongoing costs such as staffing and maintenance of low-traffic airports
Regular bills like salaries for workers and keeping the airports in good condition where there aren’t many flights
Sentence 7 of 12
English Original
The governmentwill also spend₹12,159 crore to redevelop a hundred unused airstrips, ₹3,661 crore to build 200 helipads in remote areas,and purchaseaircraft and helicopters for state carriersto boost last-mile connectivity to better match the mode of transport to actual demand and geography.
Giving government financial help for a longer time
VerbWhat is happening
will not of itself create demand
Won’t automatically make people suddenly want to start using flights
Sentence 9 of 12
English Original
In this sense,the government’s reluctance to revisit how it identifies and nurtures routes, and how different transport modes might substitute for air travel in low-density regions,seemsinexplicable.
the government’s reluctance to revisit how it identifies and nurtures routes, and how different transport modes might substitute for air travel in low-density regions
The government not wanting to think again about how it picks towns for flights or if buses/trains would be better for places with fewer people
Sentence 10 of 12
English Original
Short flight routesfaceintense competition from the railways and now an expanding network of world-class expressways.
Flights that cover only a small distance between nearby cities
VerbWhat is happening
face
To have to deal with a challenge or competition
ObjectWhat receives action
intense competition from the railways and now an expanding network of world-class expressways
Very strong pressure from trains and the new, high-quality big roads that are being built everywhere
Sentence 11 of 12
English Original
The emphasis on last-mile connectivity and better planningalsoappearsonly partially incorporatedas the details the Civil Aviation Ministry shared did not mention ground transport links or integrated scheduling, among others.
Only included in a small way, not fully thought out
AdjunctAdditional info
as the details the Civil Aviation Ministry shared did not mention ground transport links or integrated scheduling, among others
Because the government’s papers didn’t talk about bus connections or making airport and train times work together
Sentence 12 of 12
English Original
Whether the decision to sustain connectivity using sustained government support, rather than cultivate a market that can stand on its own, will lead to lasting changesdepends onwhether route selection and integration with broader transport and economic networks improve in practice.
Simple Present and Simple FutureSubject (Noun Clause) + Verb + Object (Noun Clause)Main Clause with Subordinate Noun ClausesComplex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
SubjectWho/What
Whether the decision to sustain connectivity using sustained government support, rather than cultivate a market that can stand on its own, will lead to lasting changes
If keeping flights running with only government money instead of helping a real business grow will actually change things forever
ObjectWhat receives action
whether route selection and integration with broader transport and economic networks improve in practice
If picking flight paths and linking them to buses, trains, and businesses actually gets better in real life
Sentence 1 of 12
Sentence 1 of 12
In a bid to revive the regional aviation sector,the Union Cabinethas signed off ona ‘Modified UDAN’ schemewith a sixfold higher outlay.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In a bid to revive the regional aviation sector
Trying to make the local airplane travel business strong and active again
Subject
the Union Cabinet
The top group of ministers in the Indian central government
Verb
has signed off on
Has given official permission or approval for something
Object
a ‘Modified UDAN’ scheme
A new, updated plan for the government’s regional flight program
Adjunct
with a sixfold higher outlay
With a budget or spending plan that is six times larger than the previous one
Sentence 2 of 12
The schemehad first been launchedto expand aviation to interior areas,using scheduled commuter airlines.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The scheme
The UDAN government program
Verb
had first been started
Was originally begun in previous years
Adjunct
to expand aviation to interior areas
To bring plane travel to deep, remote parts of the country far from big cities
Adjunct
using scheduled commuter airlines
By employing small airline companies that fly on a regular, fixed timetable
Sentence 3 of 12
Even then,industry analysts and expertshad complainedthat UDAN did not make a viable business case for small regional airlinesdue to a lack of supporting infrastructure, low or unpredictable passenger demand, insufficient coverage of operating costs, and lack of awareness.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Even then
Even during the early stages of the scheme
Subject
industry analysts and experts
People who study the aviation business carefully and have deep knowledge about it
Verb
had complained
Had expressed their dissatisfaction or warned about problems
Object
that UDAN did not make a viable business case for small regional airlines
That the plan did not show how small airlines could run profitably or stay in business
Adjunct
due to a lack of supporting infrastructure, low or unpredictable passenger demand, insufficient coverage of operating costs, and lack of awareness
Because there were no airports, not enough passengers, not enough income to pay for fuel/staff, and people didn’t know about the flights
Sentence 4 of 12
In Modified UDAN,the subsidy period for tier-II and tier-III routeshas been increasedfrom three to 10 years,andfrom seven to 10 years for routes in the North-east and hilly areas.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In Modified UDAN
Inside the new, updated government flight plan
Subject
the subsidy period for tier-II and tier-III routes
The number of years the government will help pay for flights to smaller cities
Verb
has been increased
Has been made longer or more than before
Adjunct
from three to 10 years, and from seven to 10 years for routes in the North-east and hilly areas
The time was changed from 3 to 10 years for small cities, and from 7 to 10 years for mountain areas
Sentence 5 of 12
The most significant difference in Modified UDANisthat the exchequer will fund the subsidies directly,meaning airlines will not be required to levy an additional charge from passengers.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The most significant difference in Modified UDAN
The biggest change in the new flight plan
Object
that the exchequer will fund the subsidies directly
That the government’s central bank account will pay the support money
Adjunct
meaning airlines will not be required to levy an additional charge from passengers
So airlines won’t have to ask people for more money per ticket
Sentence 6 of 12
The schemealsowill payfor ongoing costs such as staffing and maintenance of low-traffic airports.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The scheme
The government’s aviation plan (UDAN)
Verb
will pay for
The government will give the money needed to cover costs
Adjunct
ongoing costs such as staffing and maintenance of low-traffic airports
Regular bills like salaries for workers and keeping the airports in good condition where there aren’t many flights
Sentence 7 of 12
The governmentwill also spend₹12,159 crore to redevelop a hundred unused airstrips, ₹3,661 crore to build 200 helipads in remote areas,and purchaseaircraft and helicopters for state carriersto boost last-mile connectivity to better match the mode of transport to actual demand and geography.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The government
The central authority of India
Verb
will also spend
Will use money to buy or build something
Object
₹12,159 crore to redevelop a hundred unused airstrips, ₹3,661 crore to build 200 helipads in remote areas
Specific amounts of money for runway repairs and building helicopter landing pads in far-off places
Adjunct
to boost last-mile connectivity to better match the mode of transport to actual demand and geography
To make sure people in isolated places can travel easily by using the right vehicle (plane or helicopter) based on the land and their needs
Sentence 8 of 12
Extending the subsidies,even if they are eased from the third year onwards,could keeproutesalivefor longerbutwill not of itself createdemand.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Extending the subsidies
Giving government financial help for a longer time
Verb
will not of itself create demand
Won’t automatically make people suddenly want to start using flights
Sentence 9 of 12
In this sense,the government’s reluctance to revisit how it identifies and nurtures routes, and how different transport modes might substitute for air travel in low-density regions,seemsinexplicable.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
the government’s reluctance to revisit how it identifies and nurtures routes, and how different transport modes might substitute for air travel in low-density regions
The government not wanting to think again about how it picks towns for flights or if buses/trains would be better for places with fewer people
Sentence 10 of 12
Short flight routesfaceintense competition from the railways and now an expanding network of world-class expressways.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Short flight routes
Flights that cover only a small distance between nearby cities
Verb
face
To have to deal with a challenge or competition
Object
intense competition from the railways and now an expanding network of world-class expressways
Very strong pressure from trains and the new, high-quality big roads that are being built everywhere
Sentence 11 of 12
The emphasis on last-mile connectivity and better planningalsoappearsonly partially incorporatedas the details the Civil Aviation Ministry shared did not mention ground transport links or integrated scheduling, among others.
Phrase Breakdown
Complement
only partially incorporated
Only included in a small way, not fully thought out
Adjunct
as the details the Civil Aviation Ministry shared did not mention ground transport links or integrated scheduling, among others
Because the government’s papers didn’t talk about bus connections or making airport and train times work together
Sentence 12 of 12
Whether the decision to sustain connectivity using sustained government support, rather than cultivate a market that can stand on its own, will lead to lasting changesdepends onwhether route selection and integration with broader transport and economic networks improve in practice.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Whether the decision to sustain connectivity using sustained government support, rather than cultivate a market that can stand on its own, will lead to lasting changes
If keeping flights running with only government money instead of helping a real business grow will actually change things forever
Object
whether route selection and integration with broader transport and economic networks improve in practice
If picking flight paths and linking them to buses, trains, and businesses actually gets better in real life
Reading Comprehension
Practice questions based on this editorial
Reading Comprehension - Modified UDAN Scheme
Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the Modified UDAN scheme and regional aviation challenges.
Scoreclever helps you master Current Affairs, English Language, and General Awareness for all Banking, SSC, Railway, and Defence exams. The Scoreclever app has innovative learning techniques that make memorization and revision effortless.
