**Executive Summary**
Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, was officially launched on 5 February 2026 to provide a sustainable, commission-free alternative to aggregator-driven models. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, the initiative aims to empower drivers (*Sarathis*) through democratic governance, transparent earnings, and social security. The service is currently operational in Delhi NCR and select cities in Gujarat, with phased nationwide expansion planned based on infrastructure readiness and statutory approvals.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Organizational Framework**
* Operates as Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, established by eight national-level cooperative institutions.
* Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, ensuring democratic decision-making by members.
* Functions on a subscription-based model rather than a commission-based system, allowing drivers to retain full fare earnings.
* **Membership and Shareholding**
* Eligibility for ordinary membership requires a valid driving license and vehicle ownership.
* The society has an authorized share capital of Rs. 300 crore, with shares valued at Rs. 100 each.
* New members must subscribe to a minimum of one share at the time of joining.
* **Service Standards for Commuters**
* Provides transparent pricing based on distance, time, and market conditions.
* Strictly prohibits surge pricing and additional convenience fees.
* Focuses on offering safe, affordable, and citizen-centric mobility solutions.
* **Operational Status and Growth**
* Currently active in Delhi NCR (Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad) and Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Somnath, and Dwarka).
* Future expansion is subject to operational feasibility, statutory approvals, and the onboarding of new members.
* The project has incurred a budget of approximately Rs. 5 crore to date.
* **Economic Impact**
* Generated over Rs. 35 crore in income for driver-members.
* Created employment for approximately 20,000 drivers and 200 auxiliary support staff.
**Impact Analysis**
**Drivers (Sarathis)**
**Impact:** Drivers transition from employees to stakeholders/owners, gaining democratic governance rights, social security benefits, and the ability to retain 100% of ride fares.
**Action Required:** Must hold a valid license, own a vehicle, and subscribe to the society’s shares to gain membership.
**Commuters**
**Impact:** Riders benefit from affordable transport without the burden of surge pricing or hidden convenience fees.
**Action Required:** No specific administrative action required; riders can utilize the service for daily commuting needs.
**Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Governing Body**
**Impact:** Responsible for the management of the Rs. 300 crore authorized capital and the strategic implementation of digital infrastructure.
**Action Required:** Must manage phased expansion across various States and Union Territories while ensuring statutory compliance and infrastructure readiness.
Key Entities Referenced
Bharat Taxi (Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited): India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform that operates on a subscription-based model to ensure fair earnings for driver-members.
Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002: The primary legislation under which the Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited is registered and governed.
Ministry of Cooperation: The central ministry responsible for the empowerment of cooperatives and the implementation of the Bharat Taxi initiative.
Delhi NCR and Gujarat: The primary geographical locations where the Bharat Taxi service is currently operational, including Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot.
Sahkar se Samriddhi: The government’s guiding vision of 'Prosperity through Cooperation' which drives the strengthenining of the cooperative sector.
Ministry of Cooperation
Status And Impact of Bharat Taxi Service
Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 5:30PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Cooperation is committed to empowering cooperatives as instruments of employment
generation, social security, and grassroots economic participation. Bharat Taxi is envisaged as a
transformative intervention in the mobility sector by placing drivers—referred to as Sarathis—at the
centre of ownership, governance, and value creation, thereby offering a sustainable and dignified
alternative to aggregator-driven models. “Bharat Taxi” is India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing
platform. This is a major milestone in the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the
cooperative sector and promote inclusive, citizen-centric mobility solutions, in line with the vision of
‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Bharat Taxi was
established on 6 June 2025 by 8 national level institutions working in field of cooperatives and officially
launched on 5th February, 2026. The cooperative aims to ensure fair and transparent earnings for drivers,
eliminate commission-based exploitation, promote participatory decision-making, and provide access to
social security benefits while simultaneously providing safe and affordable ride options to commuters. The
platform operates on a subscription-based model, with drivers as members and stakeholders of the
cooperative.
Bharat Taxi is currently operational in Delhi NCR – Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and
in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Somnath & Dwarka of Gujarat. Bharat taxi intends to expand operations in a
phased manner across various States and Union Territories, subject to statutory approvals, infrastructure
readiness, and onboarding of members. Expansion plans are determined by the cooperative’s governing
body based on operational feasibility.
Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited has been registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act,
2002 and bound by all the provisions of the Act. The arrangements regarding driver membership,
shareholding, and platform fee/commission are as follows:
Driver Membership:
Individuals who hold a valid driving license and own a vehicle are eligible to become ordinary members
of the society. Membership is granted in accordance with the society’s bye-laws, and all members
participate in its governance on a democratic basis. The society ensures collective decision-making for
operational and administrative matters.
Shareholding Pattern:
Membership entails subscription to the society’s shares, with a minimum of one share at the time of
joining. The authorized share capital of the society is Rs. 300 crore, divided into shares of Rs. 100 each.
Shareholding limits are prescribed to ensure equitable participation. The shares may be transferred,
redeemed, or nominated as per the provisions of the bye-lawsBharat Taxi does not charge any commission from drivers (Sarthis) on rides booked through the platform.
The cooperative follows a subscription-based model, enabling drivers to retain full fare earnings. Riders
are charged only the applicable trip fare based on distance, time and market conditions, without additional
convenience fees or surge pricing, in keeping with cooperative principles of transparency and
affordability.
The project is being implemented through a cooperative framework with investments toward digital
infrastructure, operational systems and capacity building. It is expected to generate employment
opportunities for drivers, support staff and allied service providers. The budget incurred so far is around
Rs.5 crore which generated income of over Rs.35 crore for the driver- sarathis. Total employment
generated for drivers sarathis would be around 20,000 with 200 for auxiliary support staff.
This information was given by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written
reply in Rajya Sabha.
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AK/AP
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