Under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN 2, how many routes were awarded or approved?

Introduction / Context:
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional connectivity scheme launched by the Government of India to make air travel affordable and to connect underserved and unserved airports. UDAN 2 refers to a later round or phase of this scheme. A key statistic associated with UDAN 2 is the number of routes that were awarded or approved under this phase. This question checks whether candidates remember that specific numerical detail, which is a common feature of economic and infrastructure oriented current affairs.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The scheme referred to is UDAN 2, a subsequent round of the regional connectivity programme.
• The question asks about the number of routes under this phase.
• Options are 128, 325, 256 and 110.
• We rely on figures commonly used in government press releases and news summaries.

Concept / Approach:
For such numeric factual questions, the concept is mainly careful memorisation of government scheme data. UDAN 2 significantly expanded the coverage of the programme, and news reports highlighted that over three hundred routes were awarded in this round. Remembering that the figure was 325 routes helps in choosing the correct option. Approximate mental grouping of the options (two smaller numbers and one much larger number) also guides elimination if one recalls that UDAN 2 was a big expansion.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that UDAN 1 had a smaller number of routes and airports, while UDAN 2 expanded the scheme substantially. Step 2: Think of the approximate scale: many news items emphasised that the number of new routes under UDAN 2 crossed the 300 mark. Step 3: Look at the options. 110 and 128 are clearly too low for an expansion phase described as large. 256 is closer but still below the three hundred plus range remembered from news. Step 4: 325 is the only option above 300 and matches the widely quoted figure of 325 routes awarded under UDAN 2. Step 5: Therefore, choose 325 as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling government press notes or budget discussion summaries in exam capsules, which often say, "Under UDAN 2, 325 routes have been awarded to enhance regional connectivity." This figure appears repeatedly in multiple competitive exam resources, reinforcing that 325 is the correct number.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
128: This is too small for the second phase, which was meant to significantly expand coverage beyond the first round.
256: While it might appear plausible because it is larger, it still does not match the specific figure highlighted in official data.
110: This is again too small and would fit more with a limited pilot rather than an expanded phase.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is guessing a number based purely on which one feels familiar without anchoring it to any memory of news reports. Another mistake is mixing up data from different phases of UDAN or from other schemes like Bharatmala or Sagarmala. Keeping a concise list of key numbers for major schemes (beneficiaries, targets, and routes) greatly helps in such questions.

Final Answer:
Under the UDAN 2 regional connectivity scheme, 325 routes were awarded or approved, making 325 the correct option.