Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will launch India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing service, Bharat Taxi, today on February 5, 2026, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
The initiative marks a significant step towards expanding the cooperative movement into the urban mobility sector, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi”.
Conceptualised by the Ministry of Cooperation, Bharat Taxi is designed as a driver-owned platform that places Sarathis at the centre of ownership and decision-making. Unlike conventional aggregator-based models, the platform operates on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing structure, with profits distributed directly among drivers. The initiative aims to provide sustainable livelihoods, social security and freedom from exploitative commission-driven systems.
During the launch event, six top-performing Sarathis will be honoured and issued share certificates, reinforcing the cooperative principle of collective ownership. Each of them will also receive a personal accident insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh and a family health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh. Nine memoranda of understanding will be exchanged with public and private partners to strengthen digital integration, safety standards and service delivery.
Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Bharat Taxi was established on June 6, 2025. It offers drivers social security benefits including health and accident insurance, retirement-linked savings and access to dedicated support centres, currently operational at seven locations in Delhi. The platform also allows drivers to work on other apps without exclusivity restrictions.
Women’s participation is being encouraged through initiatives such as “Bike Didi”, under which over 150 women drivers have already joined. Since inception, around four lakh drivers and over ten lakh users have registered on the platform, with nearly Rs 10 crore disbursed directly to drivers.
Bharat Taxi plans to expand nationwide within the next two years, with support centres in every state. Over 1,200 Sarathis from across the country are expected to attend the launch, reflecting growing confidence in the cooperative mobility model.
