Why in news?
On 10 October 2025 the National e‑Governance Division (NeGD) signed a memorandum of understanding with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited to develop Bharat Taxi. This cooperative‑driven ride‑hailing platform will launch in December 2025 and aims to provide a citizen‑first alternative to corporate taxi aggregators.
Background
Ride‑hailing services such as Ola and Uber have transformed urban transport but have been criticised for high commissions, unfair surge pricing and opaque management. India has a long tradition of cooperatives in agriculture and credit; applying this model to urban mobility allows drivers to own and govern the platform themselves. By working with the government’s digital public infrastructure, Bharat Taxi seeks to deliver affordable transport while upholding data privacy and user security.
Key features and objectives
- Digital integration: The platform will connect with national digital services such as DigiLocker, UMANG and API Setu so riders can securely verify identities and access services without needing multiple logins.
- Security and compliance: NeGD will advise on cyber‑security, data protection and adherence to government standards to ensure that personal information is handled safely.
- Cooperative governance: Bharat Taxi is promoted by major cooperatives including NCDC, IFFCO and AMUL. Drivers will have an ownership stake, allowing decisions on fares, commissions and working conditions to be taken democratically.
- User interface and accessibility: The platform will support multiple Indian languages and offer an intuitive design so that people with limited digital literacy can book rides easily.
- Programme advisory: NeGD will provide guidance on programme management and scaling. The aim is to build a national platform that is transparent, inclusive and aligned with the goals of Digital India.
Significance
Bharat Taxi represents a unique blend of cooperative values and modern technology. It promises fairer earnings for drivers, more affordable rides for passengers and better data governance. By leveraging government digital infrastructure, the initiative may set a precedent for citizen‑centric services in other sectors.
Source: Press Information Bureau