2. Bharat Taxi: India’s First Cooperative Ride-Hailing Platform

Background Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, launched by the Union Home Minister, aiming to democratise the gig economy. Key Highlights • Initially launched in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, with pan-India expansion planned. • Owned by driver cooperatives, including institutions like Amul. • Drivers are owners and stakeholders, not just service providers. • Entry of Bharat Taxi has already reduced commissions charged by private aggregators. Value Addition • Promotes cooperative federalism and platform-based equity. • Challenges monopoly capitalism in the digital economy. • Enhances income security, dignity of labour, and social protection for drivers. Key Definition • Cooperative Enterprise: An organisation owned, controlled and used by its members for mutual benefit. Constitutional & Legal Provisions • Article 19(1)(c): Right to form associations and cooperatives. • 97th Constitutional Amendment: Constitutional status to cooperatives. Conclusion Bharat Taxi represents an alternative development model where technology serves collective ownership, not extraction. UPSC Relevance • GS-3: Inclusive growth, cooperative sector, gig economy reforms