Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched ‘Bharat Taxi’, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform in New Delhi.
Who Is Behind It?
The service is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and was established on 6 June 2025.
It is backed by major cooperative institutions including NCDC, IFFCO, Amul, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NDDB, NCEL and NABARD.
Key Features of Bharat Taxi:
Cooperative Model: Drivers, known as Sarathis, are co-owners and share profits, rather than being paid as gig workers.
Zero Commission & Surge-Free Pricing: Drivers retain their earnings; there is no traditional commission or surge pricing like in private apps.
Driver Social Security: Offers health insurance, accident insurance, retirement savings and support systems.
Freedom to Work Across Platforms: There are no exclusivity clauses, allowing drivers to work on other apps too.
Safety & Support: Includes emergency assistance, verified ride data, multilingual support and collaboration with police for security.
Women Empowerment: The “Bike Didi” initiative has enrolled over 150 women drivers
Pilot and Expansion Plans:
A pilot phase was run in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat from late 2025 with growing user adoption and driver registrations.
The service aims to expand to all Indian states and cities within two years.
Cooperative Sector in India:
The cooperative movement in India supports collective ownership, shared governance, and equitable distribution of profits. Examples include Amul and cooperative banks.
Bharat Taxi aligns with the Government’s vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation) and highlights the role of cooperatives in digital and gig economies.
Mobility Sector Context:
Ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber have dominated the market with commission-based models. Bharat Taxi introduces a home-grown alternative focusing on driver welfare and fair earnings.
Cooperative platforms aim to reduce dependence on foreign investment-based models, improve price transparency, and enhance service affordability.
Economic & Social Impact:
By offering up to 30% cheaper fares, the service supports affordable urban mobility while putting profit in the hands of drivers.
Integration with national digital public infrastructure (e.g., identity and payment systems) could enhance efficiency and user experience.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
