India’s ride-hailing market has a new challenger. Bharat Taxi, described by the government as India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, is built around zero commission, driver ownership, and transparent fares instead of the usual aggregator cut. The platform was officially launched on 5 February 2026, and the latest government update says it is already functional across Delhi-NCR and parts of Gujarat, with expansion planned.
The launch ceremony of "Bharat Taxi" at Vigyan Bhawan, aimed at strengthening India’s cooperative mobility sector, commenced on 5 February 2026 with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Hon’ble Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri @AmitShah.
— Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India (@MinOfCooperatn) February 5, 2026
The event was also graced by…
What Makes Bharat Taxi Different From Uber And Ola
The biggest pitch is simple: drivers, called Sarathis, are not just gig workers. The Ministry of Cooperation says Bharat Taxi moves from a “driver-partner” structure to a “Sarathi-owner” model, where drivers can become owners in the cooperative, get representation, and participate in profit sharing. The government also says the app offers transparent fares, real-time tracking, multilingual support, and 24/7 customer support.
That model is arriving when commission cuts, surge pricing, and driver earnings remain hot talking points in Indian mobility. Bharat Taxi is trying to turn that frustration into a clear alternative: no commission deductions for drivers and a simpler fare story for riders.
Where Bharat Taxi Is Live Right Now
According to the PIB release issued on 17 March 2026, Bharat Taxi is functional in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Somnath, and Dwarka. Hindustan Times reported on 24 April 2026 that the driver-facing app had also gone live in Mumbai, while the passenger version there is expected in the first week of May.
The scale-up is moving quickly. The PIB said Bharat Taxi had 21.34 lakh registered users and 2.31 lakh registered Sarathis as of 1 March 2026. Later reporting from Mumbai said the broader network had crossed around 5 million passengers and 5.17 lakh onboarded drivers, showing how rapidly the platform is gaining attention.
Official Social Post
The Ministry of Cooperation’s official X handle posted about the Bharat Taxi launch ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan on 5 February 2026.
How Drivers Can Switch To Bharat Taxi
For drivers, the switching process looks straightforward. The official driver app listing says users can download the Bharat Taxi Driver app, register through OTP, upload documents such as driving licence and vehicle registration, enable permissions, and start accepting trips after onboarding. The app supports auto, bike, and cab categories, widening the pool beyond regular taxi drivers.
This is where the zero-commission message gets sharper. Instead of sharing part of each fare with an aggregator, Bharat Taxi says drivers keep the full fare on the cooperative model. Women-focused features such as Sarthi Didi, SOS support, live location tracking, and women-driven ride options are also part of the safety push.
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How Riders Can Start Using It
For riders, the switch depends on city rollout. The passenger app is already listed on Google Play and Apple’s App Store, where Bharat Taxi describes itself as a cooperative ride-hailing app for auto, bike, and cab bookings. Riders in live markets can install the app, sign up, set pickup and drop points, and test whether transparent pricing feels different.
The bigger question is whether Bharat Taxi stays just a headline or becomes a serious daily-use option. It has government backing, driver-first branding, no commission, safety messaging, and expansion beyond the biggest metros. If execution holds, Bharat Taxi may become the first homegrown platform in years to change how Indian drivers and riders think about switching.
FAQs
1. Is Bharat Taxi available across all Indian cities right now?
No, it is live in selected cities and expanding gradually into more markets this year.
2. Do drivers really keep the full fare on Bharat Taxi?
Yes, the platform says drivers keep fares under its zero-commission cooperative model for each trip.
3. Can women riders choose women drivers on Bharat Taxi?
Yes, the Sarthi Didi feature is designed to support women drivers and safer bookings nationwide.
4. How can riders download the Bharat Taxi app quickly?
Riders can install it from Google Play or Apple App Store where listings are live.
5. Will Bharat Taxi fares always be cheaper than Uber or Ola?
Not always, but transparent pricing and lower commissions could help keep fares more competitive overall.
