Airports in India – Static GK & General Awareness for Competitive Exams with Memory Tricks

Introduction

India has emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, with an extensive network of airports connecting metro cities, tier-2 towns, and remote regions. The number of operational airports has grown remarkably from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2026, with the government targeting around 350-400 airports by 2047. For students preparing for competitive exams, knowledge of airports — their names, locations, classifications, and the personalities they are named after — is a recurring and high-scoring topic in Static GK and General Awareness sections.

Questions on airports in India regularly appear in UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, IBPS PO/Clerk, RRB NTPC, SBI, LIC, NIACL, EPFO, State PCS, and Defence exams. Aspirants are asked which city an airport is located in, which personality it is named after, or which airport was the first to be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This article presents all the key facts in a structured, exam-ready format. To explore more transport and infrastructure-related Static GK, visit the Major Ports in India guide on Jobsme.in.

Beyond exams, India's aviation sector is closely tied to current affairs — from the launch of Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya to the upcoming Noida International Airport (Jewar) and Navi Mumbai International Airport. Mastering this topic builds the foundation for objective questions and supports descriptive answers in UPSC Mains and essay papers on infrastructure development.

Core Concepts: Classification of Airports in India

India classifies its airports into four major categories under the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Understanding these classifications is essential, as exam questions frequently test the difference between international, customs, domestic, and civil enclave airports.

• International Airports: These airports are notified for scheduled international operations by Indian and foreign carriers. They have full customs and immigration facilities. India has 33 international airports as of 2026.
• Customs Airports: These airports have customs and immigration facilities but operate only limited international flights, often for national carriers, foreign tourists, or cargo charter flights. India has around 12 customs airports.
• Domestic Airports: These handle only flights within India. They do not have customs/immigration facilities but maintain full security checks. India has approximately 118 domestic airports.
• Civil Enclaves in Defence Airports: These are designated areas at military airbases used for civilian aviation. Air traffic control is usually handled by the armed forces or jointly. India has 26 civil enclaves.
• Greenfield Airports: These are entirely new airports built on previously undeveloped land, often through public-private partnerships, to ease congestion at existing airports.

Airports follow international standards laid down by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). These bodies also assign 3-letter (IATA) and 4-letter (ICAO) airport codes — for example, DEL for Delhi and BOM for Mumbai.

List of International Airports in India (2026)

The following table presents a complete, state-wise list of all 33 international airports in India along with their cities and the personalities or themes they are named after.

State-Wise International Airports

List of Domestic Airports in India (2026)

India has approximately 118 domestic airports spread across all states and Union Territories. The following table presents the major domestic airports state-wise along with key features and exam-relevant details.

State-Wise Domestic Airports

Greenfield Airports in India (Approved / Developed)

Greenfield airports are entirely new airports built on previously undeveloped land. India has granted in-principle approval for 21+ greenfield airports, of which 12 are already operational.

Airport Management in India

While most domestic and regional airports are managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), several major international airports operate under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Superlatives: Key Records of Indian Airports

Aviation Initiatives in India

Memory Tricks and Mnemonics for Indian Airports

1. Kerala's Four International Airports: "Trivandrum Cooks Calicut Kannur"

Kerala is the only Indian state with four international airports. Use the mnemonic:

"Trivandrum Cooks Calicut Kannur"

• Trivandrum International Airport — first international airport in Kerala
• Cochin International Airport — first PPP airport in India
• Calicut International Airport (Kozhikode)
• Kannur International Airport — fourth and newest

Tip: All four are in Kerala. Cochin = first PPP. Trivandrum = first international.

2. Uttar Pradesh's Four International Airports: "LVKA"

UP has four international airports — equal to Kerala. Remember the acronym:

"LVKA" = Lucknow, Varanasi, Kushinagar, Ayodhya

• Lucknow — Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport
• Varanasi — Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
• Kushinagar International Airport — Buddhist circuit
• Ayodhya — Maharishi Valmiki International Airport

Tip: All four are named after major Indian personalities.

3. PM-Named International Airports: "INRC"

Four major international airports are named after Indian Prime Ministers. Use:

"INRC" = Indira, Narayan, Rajiv, Charan

• Indira Gandhi — Delhi (former PM)
• Lal Bahadur Shastri — Varanasi (former PM)
• Rajiv Gandhi — Hyderabad (former PM)
• Chaudhary Charan Singh — Lucknow (former PM)
• Jay Prakash Narayan — Patna (freedom fighter, leader)

Tip: Only PMs (or PM-level leaders) are honoured here. Connect each to its city.

4. Goa's Two Airports: "Dabolim Mopa"

Goa is one of the few states with two international airports:

"Dabolim is Old, Mopa is Manohar"

• Dabolim Airport — original civil enclave at INS Hansa naval base
• Manohar International Airport (Mopa) — greenfield airport, named after former CM Manohar Parrikar

5. Adani-Managed Airports: "ALMaJ-GT" + Mumbai

The Adani Group manages seven major airports. Remember:

"ALMaJ-GT + Mumbai"

• Ahmedabad
• Lucknow
• Mangaluru
• Jaipur
• Guwahati
• Thiruvananthapuram
• Mumbai (CSMIA)

Tip: GMR manages just 2 — Delhi and Hyderabad. Adani manages 7.

6. Greenfield Airports in Maharashtra: "Sai Sin Navi"

Maharashtra has three operational greenfield airports plus one upcoming:

"Sai Sin Navi" = Shirdi (Sai), Sindhudurg, Navi Mumbai

• Shirdi Airport — Sai Baba pilgrimage
• Sindhudurg Airport — Konkan coast
• Navi Mumbai Airport — under development; will reduce CSMIA load

7. Highest & First Greenfield NE: "Leh High, Pakyong First"

Two superlatives that often get confused:

"Leh High, Pakyong First"

• Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (Leh) — highest altitude airport in India
• Pakyong Airport (Sikkim) — first greenfield airport in Northeast India

8. UDAN Scheme Family

UDAN has multiple variants. Use the chain:

"Regular UDAN — Krishi UDAN — Lifeline UDAN"

• UDAN (2016) — Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik; passenger air travel
• Krishi UDAN (2020) — agricultural/perishable cargo
• Lifeline UDAN (2020) — medical supplies during COVID-19

Tip: Both Krishi and Lifeline UDAN started in 2020.

Additional Notes

Frequently Confused Facts

• IGI Airport (Delhi) vs CSMIA (Mumbai): IGI is the busiest in India (managed by GMR); CSMIA is the second busiest (managed by Adani, famous for T2).
• Cochin International Airport vs Kannur International Airport: Cochin was the first PPP airport in India (1999); Kannur is the latest (4th) international airport in Kerala.
• Manohar Airport (Mopa) vs Dabolim Airport: Both are in Goa — Mopa is the new greenfield airport, while Dabolim is the older civil enclave at the naval base.
• Maharishi Valmiki Airport vs Kushinagar Airport: Both are in UP — Valmiki Airport (Ayodhya) serves Ram Mandir pilgrims; Kushinagar Airport serves Buddhist tourism.
• Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (Leh) vs Pakyong (Sikkim): Leh is the highest altitude airport; Pakyong is the first greenfield airport in Northeast India.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport vs Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Airport: Patel Airport is in Ahmedabad (Gujarat); Ambedkar Airport is in Nagpur (Maharashtra).
• AAI vs DGCA: AAI manages and operates airports; the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulates the aviation sector.
• IATA Code vs ICAO Code: IATA codes are 3-letter (e.g., DEL, BOM); ICAO codes are 4-letter (e.g., VIDP for Delhi).

Repeating PYQ (Previous Year Question) Patterns

• SSC CGL & CHSL: Most asked — Indira Gandhi International Airport (busiest), Cochin (first PPP), Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (highest altitude).
• IBPS PO & Clerk: Frequently appearing — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport (Ahmedabad), Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyderabad), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport (Kolkata).
• RRB NTPC & Group D: Common questions on — newly opened airports like Maharishi Valmiki (Ayodhya), Manohar International (Mopa), Pakyong (Sikkim).
• UPSC Prelims: Aviation initiatives like UDAN, Krishi UDAN, Greenfield Airport Policy; AAI's role; Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024.
• Insurance Exams (LIC, NIACL, EPFO): PPP-related questions — Adani-managed and GMR-managed airports.
• State PCS: State-specific airports — Donyi Polo (Arunachal), Bilasa Devi Kevat (Chhattisgarh), Veer Surendra Sai (Odisha).

Quick Insight

India's aviation sector is one of the fastest-growing in the world, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. The sector currently supports over 7.7 million jobs, and passenger traffic is expected to reach 1.1 billion by 2040. The launch of greenfield airports like Maharishi Valmiki (Ayodhya), Manohar (Mopa), and the upcoming Noida International Airport (Jewar) reflects India's push toward becoming a global aviation hub. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024 replaces the colonial-era Aircraft Act of 1934, signalling regulatory modernisation. For UPSC Mains, this topic links to infrastructure development, regional connectivity, and Make in India. For daily updates, take the Daily Current Affairs Quiz on Jobsme.in. You can also strengthen your preparation through the Rivers of India and Banking Awareness sections.

One-Liners for Quick Revision

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) → Largest and busiest airport in India → Built over 5,106 acres in New Delhi; managed by GMR Group.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) → Second busiest in India → Mumbai; famous for Terminal 2 (T2); managed by Adani.
• Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) → Primary international gateway to South India → Bengaluru; named after the founder of Bengaluru.
• Chennai International Airport (MAA) → Fourth busiest in India → Tamil Nadu; major hub to Southeast Asia.
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) → Oldest operating airport in India → Kolkata, West Bengal.
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) → Modern PPP airport → Hyderabad; managed by GMR Group.
• Cochin International Airport (COK) → First PPP airport in India → Kerala; first fully solar-powered airport in the world.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport → Named after the Iron Man of India → Ahmedabad, Gujarat; managed by Adani.
• Veer Savarkar International Airport → Port Blair → Only international airport in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Visakhapatnam International Airport → Coastal Andhra Pradesh → Gateway to the Vizag port city.
• Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport → Largest airport in Northeast India → Guwahati, Assam.
• Gaya Airport → Buddhist pilgrimage gateway → Bihar; serves Bodh Gaya.
• Dabolim Airport → Original international airport of Goa → Civil enclave at INS Hansa.
• Manohar International Airport (Mopa) → Greenfield airport in Goa → Named after former CM Manohar Parrikar.
• Surat International Airport → Recently upgraded to international status → Diamond and textile city.
• Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport → Named after the patron saint of Kashmir → Srinagar, J&K.
• Mangaluru International Airport → Coastal Karnataka → Managed by Adani Group.
• Kannur International Airport → Fourth international airport in Kerala → Greenfield airport.
• Calicut International Airport → Recently added to international list → Kozhikode, Kerala.
• Trivandrum International Airport → First international airport in Kerala → Managed by Adani.
• Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport → Busiest airport in MP → Indore; named after the Maratha queen.
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport → Geographical centre of India → Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• Imphal International Airport → Manipur → Also known as Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.
• Biju Patnaik International Airport → Bhubaneswar → Named after former Odisha CM and aviator.
• Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport → Amritsar → Gateway to the Golden Temple.
• Jaipur International Airport (JAI) → Pink City → Managed by Adani Group.
• Coimbatore International Airport → Manchester of South India → Tamil Nadu.
• Madurai Airport → Temple city → Gateway to Meenakshi Temple.
• Tiruchirappalli International Airport → Hub for Southeast Asia flights → Central Tamil Nadu.
• Maharishi Valmiki International Airport → Ayodhya → Recently inaugurated; serves Ram Mandir pilgrims.
• Kushinagar International Airport → Buddhist tourism circuit → Greenfield airport.
• Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport → Lucknow → Named after former PM; managed by Adani.
• Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport → Varanasi → Named after India's second PM.
• Car Nicobar Air Force Station → Civil enclave at IAF base → Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Tirupati Airport → Pilgrimage airport → Has international status for limited operations.
• Donyi Polo Airport → Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh → First capital-city airport of the state.
• Pasighat Airport → Oldest airport in Arunachal Pradesh → East Siang district.
• Tezu Airport → Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh → Strategic Indo-China border airport.
• Dibrugarh Airport (Mohanbari) → Upper Assam → Tea-growing region.
• Jay Prakash Narayan Airport → Patna, Bihar → Named after the freedom fighter; customs airport.
• Bilasa Devi Kevat Airport → Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh → Named after the legendary fisherwoman.
• Swami Vivekananda Airport → Raipur → Busiest airport in Chhattisgarh.
• Maa Mahamaya Airport → Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh → Newly operational.
• Diu Airport → UT of Daman & Diu → Tourist-focused.
• Bhuj Airport (Rudra Mata) → Kutch region, Gujarat → Civil enclave at IAF base.
• Jamnagar Airport → Saurashtra, Gujarat → Civil enclave at IAF base.
• Vadodara Airport → Cultural capital of Gujarat → Close to the Statue of Unity.
• Maharaja Agrasen Airport → Hisar, Haryana → Named after the legendary king.
• Kangra Airport (Gaggal) → Himachal Pradesh → Serves Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj.
• Kullu-Manali Airport (Bhuntar) → Himachal Pradesh → Tourist destinations.
• Shimla Airport (Jubbarhatti) → Himachal Pradesh → Near the state capital.
• Jammu Airport (Satwari) → Civil enclave → Gateway to Vaishno Devi.
• Deoghar Airport → Jharkhand → Greenfield airport; serves Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga.
• Bokaro Airport → Steel city of Jharkhand → Industrial connectivity.
• Belagavi Airport (Sambra) → North Karnataka → UDAN-scheme airport.
• Hubballi Airport → Hubli-Dharwad twin cities → North Karnataka.
• Kalaburagi Airport → Greenfield airport → North Karnataka.
• Mysuru Airport (Mandakalli) → Heritage city → Close to Mysore Palace.
• Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Airport → Shivamogga, Karnataka → Named after the Jnanpith laureate.
• Bidar Airport → North-east Karnataka → Civil enclave at IAF base.
• Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport → Leh, Ladakh → Highest altitude commercial airport in India.
• Agatti Airport → Lakshadweep → Only airport in the UT.
• Raja Bhoj Airport → Bhopal, MP → Named after the Parmar king.
• Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Airport → Gwalior, MP → Civil enclave at IAF base.
• Jabalpur Airport (Dumna) → Mahakoshal region → Gateway to Bhedaghat.
• Khajuraho Airport → MP → Serves UNESCO heritage temples.
• Rewa Airport → Vindhya region of MP → Newly operational.
• Aurangabad Airport (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) → Customs airport → Gateway to Ajanta-Ellora.
• Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport → Kolhapur → Western Maharashtra.
• Nashik Airport (Ozar) → Wine and grape capital of India → Civil enclave at HAL.
• Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport → Nanded, Maharashtra → Hazur Sahib pilgrimage.
• Shirdi Airport → Greenfield airport → Sai Baba pilgrimage site.
• Sindhudurg Airport (Chipi) → Konkan coastal region → Greenfield airport.
• Umroi Airport → Shillong, Meghalaya → 30 km from Shillong city.
• Lengpui Airport → Aizawl, Mizoram → Only airport in Mizoram; built on a hilltop.
• Dimapur Airport → Nagaland → Only airport in Nagaland.
• Veer Surendra Sai Airport → Jharsuguda, Odisha → Named after a freedom fighter.
• Pondicherry Airport → UT of Puducherry → Only airport in the UT.
• Pathankot Airport → Punjab → Civil enclave at IAF base.
• Jaisalmer Airport → Rajasthan → Civil enclave at IAF base; gateway to Thar Desert.
• Jodhpur Airport → Rajasthan → Civil enclave; serves the Blue City.
• Nal Airport → Bikaner, Rajasthan → Civil enclave at IAF Nal airbase.
• Maharana Pratap Airport (Dabok) → Udaipur → Named after the Mewar warrior king.
• Kishangarh Airport → Rajasthan → Serves Ajmer-Pushkar region.
• Pakyong Airport → Sikkim → First greenfield airport in Northeast India.
• Salem Airport → Tamil Nadu → Steel city of TN.
• Tuticorin Airport → Thoothukkudi → Southern port city of TN.
• Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport → Agartala, Tripura → Second busiest airport in Northeast India.
• Jolly Grant Airport → Dehradun → Gateway to Mussoorie and Rishikesh.
• Pantnagar Airport → Uttarakhand → Serves the Kumaon region.
• Naini Saini Airport → Pithoragarh → Close to Indo-China border.
• Bagdogra Airport → Siliguri, West Bengal → Customs airport; gateway to Darjeeling and Sikkim.
• Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport → Durgapur, West Bengal → Named after the rebel poet of Bengal.
• Noida International Airport (Jewar) → Greater Noida, UP → Under development; will be among the largest in Asia.
• Navi Mumbai International Airport → Maharashtra → Greenfield airport; will reduce CSMIA load.
• UDAN Scheme → Launched 2016 → Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik; regional connectivity.
• Krishi UDAN → Launched 2020 → Agricultural and perishable cargo focus.
• Lifeline UDAN → Launched 2020 → Medical supplies during COVID-19.
• Digi Yatra → Launched 2022 → Paperless and contactless travel via facial recognition.
• Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam → 2024 → Replaces the Aircraft Act of 1934.
• Airports Authority of India (AAI) → Established 1995 → Manages most domestic and regional airports.
• GMR Group → Manages Delhi (IGI) and Hyderabad (RGIA) airports.
• Adani Group → Manages Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mumbai (CSMIA).

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