Bharat Taxi: Driver-Owned Cooperative Ride Service

“Bharat Taxi” cooperative ride service scales up in Gujarat

Battle Brief

Bharat Taxi, India’s first driver-owned ride-hailing service run by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited, was set for a formal launch in 14 Gujarat cities on 27 June 2026, the Cooperation Ministry said. It runs on a zero-commission, surge-free model under “Saarthi Hi Maalik”. Of 7 lakh Saarthis nationwide, more than 1.5 lakh are from Gujarat.

Fact File

Release: 26 Jun 2026, Ministry of Cooperation
Operator: Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited
Registered under: Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002; established 6 June 2025
Backers: NCDC, GCMMF (Amul), NDDB, NAFED, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NABARD, NCEL
Model: zero commission for drivers; surge-free fares
Reach: 7 lakh Saarthis nationally (1.5 lakh+ from Gujarat); 37 lakh+ customers

In the news

Bharat Taxi: what happened?

On most ride apps, drivers pay a cut of every fare to the company. In Bharat Taxi the drivers own the platform through a cooperative, keep the fare and share in the gains. That is what “Saarthi Hi Maalik” (the driver is the owner) means.

Gujarat launch at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, after a soft launch in December 2025.
Cities include Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar, among 14.
Saarthis get insurance, loans, pension and social security scheme benefits.
Riders can choose bike, auto or cab; safety in partnership with Gujarat Police.

Back Story

What are the plans ahead?

Expand across Gujarat within a month.
In coming years, reach all States and major cities with support centres in every State.
Integrate with national digital public infrastructure.

Why examiners care

Why does Bharat Taxi matter?

Workers: Ownership and social security for gig drivers.
Cooperation: Takes “Sahkar se Samriddhi” into urban mobility.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on Bharat Taxi?

Bharat Taxi: India’s first driver-owned ride-hailing service; Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited.
Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
Zero-commission model; slogan “Saarthi Hi Maalik”.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance

As per PIB (2026-06-26): bharat Taxi, a cooperative ride service on the "Saarthi Hi Maalik" principle, has over 1.5 lakh drivers and 7 lakh customers in Gujarat, more than 3,500 rides a day, and runs in 14 cities.
It offers drivers a cooperative alternative to platforms that take a commission on every ride.

Quotable data point
Bharat Taxi, a cooperative ride service on the "Saarthi Hi Maalik" principle, has over 1.5 lakh drivers and 7 lakh customers in Gujarat, more than 3,500 rides a day, and runs in 14 cities.
PIB: Cooperation: Bharat Taxi, 26 Jun 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Bharat Taxi, the cooperative ride-hailing platform, is registered under

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB (Cooperation), 26 Jun 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is Bharat Taxi?

India's first driver-owned ride-hailing service, run on cooperative principles by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited.

How do drivers benefit?

Under a zero-commission model, the maximum income reaches drivers, who are also owners and get insurance, loans and pension benefits.

Under which law is it registered?

The Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.