Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is set to launch Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing service, on Thursday. The launch follows the successful completion of a two-month pilot programme, according to an official statement.
The entry of Bharat Taxi could mark a major shift in India’s mobility ecosystem, as the platform aims to challenge established ride-hailing players such as Uber, Ola and Rapido, which currently dominate the market. The service plans to expand to all states and cities across India within the next two years.
What is Bharat Taxi?
Bharat Taxi is registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and was formally established on 6 June 2025. The app was piloted by the government over the past two months and officially launched in select locations, including Delhi, on 1 January.
Backed by eight leading cooperative organisations, pilot operations began on 2 December in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, positioning Bharat Taxi as a cooperative alternative to existing ride-hailing platforms.
Key Highlights of Bharat Taxi
The Ministry of Cooperation has described Bharat Taxi as the world’s first and largest cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, as well as the largest driver-owned mobility platform globally.
Over 3 lakh drivers have registered on the platform since its launch in December 2025
More than 1 lakh users have signed up on the app
The platform has completed over 10,000 rides in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat
Drivers have collectively earned ₹10 crore so far
Bharat Taxi places strong emphasis on driver welfare. Drivers, referred to as Sarathis, are offered social security benefits including health insurance, accident insurance, retirement savings, and access to a dedicated support system. The platform also provides emergency assistance, verified ride data, and allows drivers to operate on multiple platforms without exclusivity restrictions. Currently, seven service centres are operational in Delhi.
Top Sarathis to Be Honoured at Launch
During the launch event, the top six performing Sarathis will be honoured for their contributions. Amit Shah will present certificates to the awardees, reinforcing the platform’s guiding principle of “Sarathi Hi Malik” (the driver is the owner).
Each honoured Sarathi will receive personal accident insurance worth ₹5 lakh and family health insurance of ₹5 lakh. Additionally, nine memoranda of understanding (MoUs) will be signed with public and private stakeholders to enhance operational integration, digital empowerment, safety, and service delivery.
More than 1,200 Sarathis from across the country are expected to attend the launch event, reflecting growing confidence among drivers in the cooperative model.
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