In News:

The Union Home Minister recently launched Bharat Taxi, India's first cooperative-led, driver-owned ride-hailing platform, in Gujarat.

About Bharat Taxi

• Bharat Taxi is India's first cooperative-model ride-hailing platform registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
• It is a government-supported initiative developed under the Ministry of Cooperation with technical support from the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
• Unlike conventional cab aggregators, Bharat Taxi follows a cooperative ownership model in which drivers, referred to as "Sarathis", are shareholders and members of the cooperative rather than merely service providers.
• The platform has been developed by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited with support from eight major cooperative institutions—NCDC, GCMMF (Amul), NDDB, NAFED, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NABARD and NCEL.

Key Features

• Bharat Taxi operates on a driver-owned cooperative model, enabling drivers to purchase shares and participate in the management of the platform.
• The platform follows a zero-commission policy, ensuring that the entire fare collected from passengers is transferred directly to the driver.
• It also adopts transparent pricing, eliminating surge pricing during periods of high demand.
• The platform is integrated with India's digital public infrastructure, including DigiLocker, UMANG and API Setu, to facilitate seamless digital verification and service delivery.
• It complies with the Government of India's data protection and cybersecurity standards and provides drivers with access to loans, insurance and business expansion opportunities through the cooperative ecosystem.

Significance

Bharat Taxi seeks to strengthen the cooperative movement by extending it to the digital platform economy. The initiative aims to improve drivers' incomes by eliminating intermediary commissions, promote transparent pricing for consumers, and provide greater social security and financial inclusion to drivers. It also supports the vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" by demonstrating how cooperative institutions can participate in the digital economy.

In News:

India is set to launch Bharat Taxi, the country’s first cooperative-run taxi service, in Delhi from 2027. Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the initiative aims to provide a homegrown, driver-first alternative to private cab aggregators such as Uber and Rapido, aligning with India’s broader push for cooperative-led growth and digital public infrastructure.

Key Features of Bharat Taxi

1. Cooperative Ownership & Governance

• Bharat Taxi is structured as a cooperative platform, ensuring drivers are stakeholders rather than gig workers.
• It seeks to curb profit extraction by intermediaries and promote equitable income distribution among drivers.

2. Commission Model

• Zero-commission model initially: 100% of ride payments go directly to drivers.
• A proposed ~20% cooperative fee may be introduced later, which will be redistributed back to drivers as incentives, unlike conventional aggregator commissions.

3. Institutional Collaboration

The platform is being developed through collaboration among:

• National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
• Digital India Corporation
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited

This ensures integration with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

4. Digital Integration

Bharat Taxi will be integrated with:

• DigiLocker
• UMANG
• API Setu

These integrations will streamline driver onboarding, document verification, and service delivery.

5. Pricing Policy

• No surge pricing under normal conditions, enhancing affordability and predictability for commuters.
• Dynamic pricing permitted only under specific, clearly defined circumstances, unlike algorithm-driven surge pricing models.

6. Safety and Consumer Protection

• Driver verification and background checks.
• Integration with Delhi Police systems.
• Real-time ride tracking and 24×7 customer care, enhancing passenger safety and trust.

Significance

• Promotes the cooperative movement in the digital platform economy.
• Supports driver welfare, income stability, and transparency.
• Demonstrates the use of government-backed digital infrastructure for service delivery.
• Offers a public-interest alternative to profit-driven ride-hailing platforms.

In News:

• India is set to launch ‘Bharat Taxi’, the country’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, in November 2025, beginning in Delhi.
• The initiative marks a transformative step in the government’s efforts to democratise the digital economy by ensuring equitable participation and income security for gig workers, particularly cab drivers.
• The project is being implemented jointly by the Union Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

About Bharat Taxi

Bharat Taxi is a government-backed cooperative cab service designed to offer an alternative to private app-based aggregators such as Ola and Uber. It operates on the principle of “cooperative ownership and collective welfare”, where drivers act as both service providers and shareholders.

Implementing Structure

• Promoting Body: Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd., established in June 2025.
• Initial Capital: ?300 crore.
• Supported By: Leading cooperative institutions such as Amul, IFFCO, NAFED, KRIBHCO, NABARD, and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
• Governance:
  • Chairperson: Jayen Mehta (MD, Amul/GCMMF)
  • Vice-Chairman: Rohit Gupta (Deputy MD, NCDC)

Objectives

• Empower Drivers: Convert cab drivers into cooperative members (“Saarthis”) and shareholders.
• Ensure Fair Earnings: Eliminate high commissions (up to 25% under private apps) through a zero-commission model.
• Provide Affordable, Transparent Rides: Introduce fare regulation with no surge pricing or hidden costs.
• Promote Cooperative Entrepreneurship: Strengthen India’s cooperative movement in the digital services economy.
• Enhance Urban Mobility: Offer a reliable, ethical, and citizen-friendly transport option integrated with government e-platforms.

Key Features