Bharat Taxi

Bharat Taxi

Context

In February 2026, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah formally launched Bharat Taxi in New Delhi. This initiative represents India's first cooperative-sector ride-hailing platform, aiming to shift the digital mobility landscape toward a driver-owned model under the vision of "Sahkar se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation).

About Bharat Taxi

Definition:

Bharat Taxi is an indigenous, cooperative-led alternative to private aggregator models (like Ola and Uber). It is designed to be a driver-owned and driver-led enterprise where the service providers are also the primary stakeholders and owners.

Key Institutional Details:

• Operating Entity: Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL).
• Registration: Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 (established June 6, 2025).
• Support: Backed by eight major cooperatives including Amul, IFFCO, and NAFED.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Cooperation.

Comparison: Bharat Taxi vs. Private Aggregators

Key Features

• "Sarathi hi Malik" Model: Every driver is a shareholder in the cooperative. During the launch, top performers were awarded share certificates to cement this ownership principle.
• Zero-Commission & Transparent Pricing: By removing the middleman commission, the platform estimates fares to be up to 30% cheaper for passengers while ensuring higher take-home pay for drivers.
• Robust Social Security: Provides ₹5 lakh personal accident insurance and ₹5 lakh family health insurance for registered Sarathis, along with retirement saving options.
• Safety & Digital Integration: * Integrated with India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) (DigiLocker, UMANG).
  • Direct link to Delhi Police with 35 physical assistance booths at major transit hubs.
• Women Empowerment: Special initiatives like "Sarathi Didi" and "Bike Didi" have already onboarded over 150 women drivers.
• Non-Exclusivity: Drivers are free to operate on other platforms simultaneously, ensuring they are not "trapped" by a single algorithm.

Significance

• Empowerment of the Unorganized Sector: Moves gig workers from precarious contract labor to dignified, institutional ownership.
• Disruption of Market Monopolies: Offers a home-grown, non-exploitative alternative to foreign-funded aggregators, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Scalable Cooperative Model: Proves that the cooperative framework can be successfully applied to the modern, high-tech digital platform economy.
• Economic Impact: During its two-month pilot phase in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, the platform successfully distributed over ₹10 crore directly to drivers.

Conclusion

The commercial launch of Bharat Taxi marks a major milestone in India’s cooperative movement. By prioritizing driver welfare and passenger affordability through a zero-commission model, Bharat Taxi seeks to redefine urban mobility. The government plans to expand the service across all states and Union Territories within the next three years.