NCDC Call for Technology Partners for Sahkar Taxi Project

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), operating under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, has officially invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified technology companies to collaborate on its ambitious Sahkar Taxi Project India’s first government-backed, cooperative-led taxi service.

Launched as an alternative to privately operated ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Ola, Sahkar Taxi is designed to empower local drivers, reduce dependency on high-commission private services, and improve urban mobility through a people-first, scalable, and transparent taxi aggregation platform.

A New Cooperative Model for Urban Transport

Unlike existing ride-hailing services driven by profit-centric models, Sahkar Taxi will be run by cooperative societies, offering fairer earnings for drivers and a safer, affordable, and reliable experience for passengers. The initiative also aligns with India’s growing focus on cooperative economic development and inclusive technology ecosystems.

The project aims to build a fully integrated digital cab aggregation system, including Android, iOS, and web-based applications, a nationwide KYC platform for driver and vehicle verification, and a robust operations dashboard. The system will incorporate modern safety features, multilingual interfaces, and inclusive options like wheelchair-accessible rides and female-driver preferences.

Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI)

The NCDC is seeking experienced Indian IT and mobility technology companies, with a proven track record of at least three years, to submit EOIs for the design, development, implementation, and management of the platform.

A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for May 23, 2025, offering prospective applicants a platform to discuss project requirements with the official team. The final date for proposal submission is June 25, 2025.

Eligible participants must meet strict financial and technical benchmarks, including:

• ₹20 crore average turnover over the last three financial years.
• Positive net worth for the past three consecutive years.
• Minimum one live app with 1,00,000+ users.
• Experience in large-scale mobility projects, preferably for government entities.
• CMMI Level 3 certification or higher.
• A technical workforce of at least 30 professionals.

Consortium bids of up to two members are permitted, provided the lead partner satisfies all eligibility norms.

Platform Features and National Impact

Positioned as more than just a ride-booking service, Sahkar Taxi aims to foster community-driven business models and reduce socio-economic disparities in urban transportation. Key features of the proposed platform include:

• Customer App: Instant ride requests, scheduled bookings, real-time GPS tracking, multi-language support, emergency SOS, and transparent fare breakdowns.
• Driver App: Dynamic ride queues, earning dashboards, safety modules, in-app support, and community initiatives.
• KYC & Operations Dashboard: Nationwide driver and vehicle verification through cooperative societies, document authentication via Aadhaar and RTO databases, and end-to-end operational management.

Notably, the platform will be integrated with ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), ensuring small taxi operators gain market visibility and access to India’s expanding digital commerce ecosystem.

The platform will be hosted on scalable cloud infrastructure such as AWS or Azure, with CI/CD pipelines, real-time monitoring, automated backups, and disaster recovery protocols. It will adhere to Indian IT regulations, DPDP (Digital Personal Data Protection) compliance, and PCI-DSS standards, ensuring data security and operational integrity.

Project Milestones and Payment Structure

The implementation schedule for Sahkar Taxi spans 240 days from the contract date, with key milestones including:

• SRS Document: T + 30 days
• App Development & UAT: T + 90 days
• Pilot Launch: T + 120 days
• Full Rollout: T + 240 days

Payments will be disbursed in phases, starting with 10% upon SRS submission, 20% upon pilot rollout, and 50% upon nationwide launch.

Nation-Building Through Cooperative Mobility

“Sahkar Taxi is not just a ride-hailing service; it’s a transformative national movement,” the NCDC stated. “It’s about restoring dignity and fair earnings to drivers, enhancing passenger safety, and ensuring urban transport systems prioritize people over profits.”

With safety-first features like women-driver options, wheelchair-friendly rides, KYC-verified drivers, and even WhatsApp booking support, Sahkar Taxi reflects India’s vision for a cooperative, inclusive, and tech-driven future.

Legal & Compliance Framework

The selected technology partner will handle platform development, licensing, and operational infrastructure, while the NCDC will retain full ownership of the intellectual property, software, and technology assets.

No sub-contracting is permitted, and bidders must provide a 5% performance guarantee of the contract value. Strict compliance policies and dispute resolution mechanisms via arbitration in New Delhi have been established.

How to Participate

Interested companies can review the detailed EOI document available on the official NCDC website and must submit proposals by June 25, 2025.