9. Launch of Bharat Taxi Cooperative Platform

Background India launched its first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform – Bharat Taxi, marking a shift from investordriven digital platforms to member-owned digital enterprises. Key Features • Drivers are owners as well as stakeholders, not just service providers. • Designed to counter aggregator-driven exploitation and high commission models. • Provides insurance cover and social security benefits to drivers. • Nationwide expansion planned to enhance reach and scale. Value Addition (Economic & Social Perspective) • Aligns with the vision of a cooperative economy and platform decentralisation.• Enhances employment dignity, income stability, and decision-making power of workers. • Demonstrates how digital public infrastructure (DPI) can be leveraged for inclusive growth. • Offers an alternative model to monopolistic gig-economy platforms. Constitutional & Legal Framework • Article 43B: Promotion of cooperative societies. • State Cooperative Societies Acts govern structure and functioning. Key Definition • Cooperative: A member-owned enterprise formed to promote mutual economic and social interests. Conclusion Bharat Taxi represents inclusive digital entrepreneurship, combining technology with cooperative principles to create fairer labour markets. UPSC Relevance: GS Paper III – Cooperative sector, employment, inclusive growth