Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is set to launch India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi on Thursday, marking the formal rollout of government-backed alternatives to private cab aggregators like Ola, Uber and Rapido.
Union Minister Amit Shah is all set to launch Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, on Thursday, following successful pilots in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat.The launch follows a two-month pilot program described as successful with trial operations conducted in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat before a nationwide debut, news agency PTI reported.
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Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Bharat Taxi was established on June 6, 2025 and is supported by eight leading cooperative societies, making it an indigenous, driver-owned mobility platform.
The cooperative ministry claims that India Taxi is the world’s first and largest cooperative-based ride-hailing service, as well as the largest driver-owned mobility platform globally, the report said.
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Since pilot operations began in December 2025, more than 3 lakh drivers, known as Sarthis, have registered on the platform, while more than 1 lakh users have signed up for the app. The service has so far completed over 10,000 rides across Delhi-NCR and Gujarat. ₹According to government data cited in the report, 10 crore drivers have been directly distributed.
Unlike existing platforms, Bharat Taxi operates on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model, allowing drivers to retain revenue without exclusivity clauses preventing them from working on other apps. The platform emphasizes social security, including health insurance, accident cover, retirement savings and a dedicated support system, including emergency assistance and verified ride data.
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During Thursday’s launch event, the top six charioteers will be felicitated, with Amit Shah distributing certificates to reinforce the “Sarthi Hai Malik” principle, which means “the driver is the owner”. Each selected driver will receive ₹5 lakh personal accident insurance and ₹5 lakh family health insurance, while nine MoUs will be signed with government and private stakeholders to strengthen operations and security, the report noted.
More than 1,200 charioteers from across the country are expected to attend the launch.
(with inputs from PTI)
