Eight Cooperatives Unite to Launch 'Bharat' Taxi Service, Onboard 200 Drivers by December 2025.
National
In August 2025, eight major cooperatives jointly established the Multi-State Sahakari Taxi Cooperative Ltd with an authorized capital of ₹300 crore. Branded as "Bharat", this cooperative taxi service aims to launch by December across India, with 200 drivers already onboarded in four states.
- The cooperative venture-Multi-State Sahakari Taxi Cooperative Ltd -was formally registered on 6 June 2025. It brings together eight prominent cooperatives including National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL).
- With an authorized capital of ₹300 crore, pooled entirely from cooperative partners, the Bharat service is planned without government equity. Its objective is to offer driver-first earnings, safe and affordable rides, and a cooperative pricing model, thereby challenging private ride-hailing giants Ola and Uber.
- So far, 200 drivers have been onboarded across four key states -Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra-with 50 drivers from each state. Efforts are underway to expand the driver network by engaging additional cooperative societies.
Main Point :- (i) A tender has been floated to appoint a technology partner for developing the Bharat ride-hailing app. The app development is expected to be completed by December 2025. In parallel, IIM-Bangalore and other technology consultants are crafting a pan-India marketing strategy for the unified platform.
(ii) This initiative followed Cooperation Minister Amit Shah's unveiling of the National Cooperative Policy 2025-a strategic framework designed to expand cooperative activities into emerging Asectors like taxi services, tourism, insurance, and real estate. The policy was announced in July 2025.
(iii) The cooperative ownership model ensures that drivers and stakeholders share profits equitably and remain invested in the platform. Bharat is positioned as a driver-owned, transparent alternative to private aggregators, promoting dignity, income security, and inclusive mobility services across India.
About National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Chairman : Shaji K.V.
Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
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