Bharat Taxi Launched in Gujarat by Amit Shah as India’s first driver-owned cooperative ride-hailing service. Know its features, benefits and key exam facts.
Bharat Taxi Launched in Gujarat by Amit Shah
The Government of India has taken a significant step towards strengthening the cooperative sector with the launch of Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperation-based, driver-owned ride-hailing platform. The initiative was officially launched by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on 27 June 2026 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Unlike conventional app-based taxi services that charge commissions from drivers, Bharat Taxi operates on a zero-commission cooperative model, ensuring that drivers receive the full benefit of their earnings. The initiative reflects the government’s vision of promoting inclusive growth through cooperative enterprises and empowering self-employed drivers across the country.
Table of Contents
What is Bharat Taxi?
Bharat Taxi is a cooperative ride-hailing service designed to provide a fair and transparent platform for taxi drivers. It follows the principle of “Saarthi Hi Maalik”, which translates to “The Driver is the Owner.”
Under this model, drivers are not merely service providers but stakeholders in the platform. This cooperative ownership structure aims to improve drivers’ income, reduce operational costs, and provide long-term financial security.
The launch represents a new approach to India’s rapidly growing mobility sector by combining technology with the cooperative movement.
Key Features of Bharat Taxi
The newly launched platform offers several unique features that distinguish it from existing ride-hailing services.
Driver Owned Cooperative Model
The most notable feature of Bharat Taxi is that it is owned and operated through the cooperative framework. Drivers become members of the cooperative and actively participate in the system rather than working under a commission-based arrangement.
Zero Commission Policy
Unlike many private ride-hailing platforms that deduct a percentage of every trip, Bharat Taxi follows a zero-commission model. Drivers retain 100% of their fare earnings, increasing their overall income.
Social Security Benefits
In addition to ride income, the platform provides various welfare measures for registered drivers, including:
- Insurance coverage
- Easy access to loans
- Pension-related benefits
- Financial inclusion through cooperative institutions
These provisions are expected to improve the economic security and overall well-being of drivers.
Launch and Expansion Plan
The service was initially launched across 14 major cities of Gujarat, including:
- Ahmedabad
- Surat
- Vadodara
- Rajkot
- Other important urban centres
The government has announced that the service will be expanded to cover the entire state within one month of its official launch.
Even before its formal inauguration, Bharat Taxi had shown encouraging growth during its soft launch phase, which began in December 2025.
According to official figures:
- More than 1.5 lakh drivers have registered on the platform.
- Over 7 lakh customers have signed up.
- The service is currently handling over 3,500 rides every day in Gujarat.
These numbers indicate growing acceptance of the cooperative model in the urban transport sector.
Cooperative Institutions Supporting Bharat Taxi
One of the strongest aspects of Bharat Taxi is the support it has received from leading cooperative institutions in India. Eight major organizations are associated with the initiative:
- Amul
- IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited)
- NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development)
- NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation)
- NDDB (National Dairy Development Board)
- NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India)
- KRIBHCO (Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited)
- NCEL (National Cooperative Exports Limited)
Their involvement provides institutional backing and strengthens the credibility of the platform.
Promoting the Vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”
The Bharat Taxi initiative aligns with the government’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity Through Cooperation).
This concept promotes economic development through collective ownership, democratic decision-making, and equitable distribution of benefits. By extending cooperative principles beyond agriculture and dairy into digital transportation services, Bharat Taxi marks an important expansion of India’s cooperative movement.
The initiative is expected to encourage more workers in the gig economy to benefit from cooperative ownership while reducing dependence on commission-based business models.
Gujarat’s Role in India’s Cooperative Movement
Gujarat has long been recognised as a pioneer in India’s cooperative sector. The state has successfully developed cooperative institutions in dairy, agriculture, banking, and rural development.
The success of Amul, one of the world’s largest dairy cooperative brands, has demonstrated how cooperative enterprises can transform livelihoods and strengthen rural economies. Launching Bharat Taxi from Gujarat symbolically connects the new initiative with the state’s rich cooperative legacy.
The event was held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, a prominent convention and conference centre that regularly hosts major government programmes, national conferences, and policy events.
Why Bharat Taxi is Important
The launch of Bharat Taxi is significant for several reasons:
- Introduces India’s first driver-owned cooperative ride-hailing platform.
- Eliminates commission charges through a zero-commission model.
- Improves drivers’ income and financial independence.
- Extends social security benefits such as insurance, loans, and pension support.
- Encourages cooperative ownership in the digital economy.
- Supports the government’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi.”
- Demonstrates the expanding role of cooperative institutions beyond traditional sectors.
Important Facts for UPSC, SSC & State PCS Exams
- Launch Date: 27 June 2026
- Launched By: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah
- Launch Venue: Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Service Name: Bharat Taxi
- Tagline: “Saarthi Hi Maalik”
- Model: Driver-owned cooperative ride-hailing platform
- Commission: Zero Commission
- Initial Coverage: 14 cities in Gujarat
- Soft Launch: December 2025
- Registered Drivers: Over 1.5 lakh
- Registered Customers: More than 7 lakh
- Daily Rides: Over 3,500
- Major Supporting Institutions: Amul, IFFCO, NABARD, NCDC, NDDB, NAFED, KRIBHCO, and NCEL
- Government Vision: Sahkar Se Samriddhi (Prosperity Through Cooperation)
Summary
The launch of Bharat Taxi marks an important milestone in India’s cooperative movement by bringing the principles of collective ownership into the rapidly expanding digital transportation sector. With its driver-owned structure, zero-commission policy, and welfare-oriented approach, the platform seeks to create a more equitable and sustainable model for ride-hailing services. As the initiative expands beyond Gujarat, Bharat Taxi has the potential to reshape the gig economy while reinforcing the role of cooperatives in promoting inclusive economic development.
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