NCDC Call for Technology Partners for Sahkar Taxi Project
The NCDC, under the Ministry of Cooperation, India, Invites Expression of Interest for the Sahkar Taxi Project.
The Sahkar Taxi, recently launched by the Government of India, aims to uplift local communities and reduce the burden of commissions and other charges imposed by ride-hailing apps like Uber and Ola.
Sahkar Taxi is a scalable taxi-hailing system backed by the Government of India. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, is seeking companies to join this initiative and submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for this groundbreaking public mobility project.
The Sahkar cab service is a people-first, cooperative-driven venture designed to reshape urban transportation across India. More than just a taxi service, it is a movement to empower local communities and foster economic growth.
The NCDC is looking for committed Technology Partners to collaborate on the design, development, implementation, and operation of a digital cab aggregation platform that aligns with India’s cooperative values.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on May 23, 2025, providing applicants an opportunity to engage directly with the project team. The last date for proposal submissions is June 25, 2025.
This is a call to all innovators who believe in scalable technology, cooperative growth, and people-first systems. By partnering with us, you can help lead India into a new era of smart, sustainable, and community-owned mobility.
What is the Sahkar Taxi?
The Sahkar Taxi is a new initiative supported by the Indian government to create a safe, reliable, and large-scale taxi service. It will be India’s First Cooperative Taxi Service Takes Shape with Multi-State Registration. The main goal is to make travel easier, quicker, and safer for both local drivers and riders. Unlike private ride-hailing apps, this system will be run by cooperative societies, ensuring fairer earnings for drivers and better service for passengers.
To keep everyone safe, the platform will include a KYC (Know Your Customer) system to verify drivers and vehicles nationwide. This way, passengers can trust that their rides are secure, while drivers get a fair deal without high commissions. It’s a win-win for India’s transport future!
Who Can Participate?
This project is open to experienced Indian IT and mobility companies that are officially registered and have been operating for at least three years. Companies can apply alone or team up with one other partner (making a maximum of two members in a consortium).
The main company in any partnership must meet all the required financial and technical standards. This ensures we work with qualified and reliable partners for this important initiative.
Objectives of the Project
- Develop Android, iOS, and Web apps for booking rides.
- Build a national KYC platform for driver and vehicle verification.
- Integrate the cab and KYC systems for seamless registration.
- Maintain full operational control, from onboarding to compliance.
- Ensure regular updates, security patches, and performance improvements.
Project Features: What Makes It Unique?
This isn’t just another taxi app. It’s designed with special features to keep you safe, include everyone, and make your ride comfortable. The government-backed system ensures fair prices for passengers and better earnings for drivers.
With strict driver verification (KYC) and cooperative management, it puts people before profits. Whether you’re a rider or a driver, this project works for you!
Customer App Highlights
- Quick ride requests and scheduled bookings.
- Real-time GPS tracking and live traffic updates.
- SOS feature for emergencies and location sharing.
- Multi-language support and screen-reader compatibility.
- Easy payment options with clear fare breakdowns.
Driver App Highlights
- Dynamic ride queue and ride profile views.
- Earnings dashboard with detailed summaries.
- Driver rewards, safety training, and community engagement.
- In-app support and emergency contact features.
KYC and Operations Dashboard
- Nationwide driver/vehicle registration through cooperatives.
- Document verification using Aadhaar and RTO databases.
- Approval workflows and performance tracking.
- Admin controls for blocking users and handling complaints.
Integration with ONDC
The Sahkar Taxi app will follow ONDC’s rules so that both the customer and driver apps can connect smoothly with India’s fast-growing online business network. This means even small taxi operators will get more customers and better visibility, helping them grow their business.
Hosting, Maintenance, and Deployment
The entire platform will be hosted on scalable cloud infrastructure like AWS or Azure. It will include:
- Automated deployments and real-time monitoring.
- CI/CD pipelines for smooth updates.
- Load balancing, data backups, and disaster recovery plans.
Apps will be listed on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Continuous updates and bug fixes will be part of the operational routine.
Safety and Compliance First
The platform will follow Indian IT laws, DPDP compliance, and PCI-DSS standards. It will also include:
- End-to-end encryption.
- Frequent security audits and vulnerability checks.
- AI-driven fraud detection and incident alerts.
Customer and driver support will be available 24/7, with multilingual options and chatbot assistance.
Special Features for Everyone’s Needs
The Sahkar Taxi app will have special safety options like letting women choose women drivers. It will also help people with disabilities by offering wheelchair-friendly rides and easy communication features. To make booking simpler, you’ll even be able to order taxis through WhatsApp!
How It Works – Rules & Ownership
The tech company handling the app will take care of all licenses and legal permissions, except the main taxi service license which NCDC will manage. However, NCDC will fully own the app’s design and technology – this means all rights to the software and ideas will stay with the government, not private companies.
Eligibility Criteria in Brief
- ₹20 crore average turnover (last 3 years).
- Positive net worth for three consecutive years.
- At least one app with 1,00,000+ users.
- Prior experience in government or large-scale private mobility apps.
- CMMI Level 3 certification or higher.
- Minimum 30 technical staff on roll.
Project Timeline
| Milestone | Timeline from Contract Date |
| SRS Document | T + 30 days |
| App Development & UAT | T + 90 days |
| Pilot Launch | T + 120 days |
| Full India Rollout | T + 240 days |
Payment Milestones
| Milestone | Payout Percentage |
| SRS Submission | 10% |
| UAT Delivery | 10% |
| UAT Sign-off | 10% |
| Pilot Rollout | 20% |
| Nationwide Launch | 50% |
Legal, Security, and Contractual Terms
- No sub-contracting is allowed.
- A performance guarantee of 5% of contract value is required.
- All bidders must not be blacklisted.
- Strict policies are in place against fraud, misrepresentation, or non-compliance.
- Disputes will be resolved through arbitration in New Delhi.
Why Sahkar Taxi Matters
Sahkar Taxi isn’t just another app—it’s a movement to transform India’s transport system. By putting drivers first, it ensures fair earnings, training, and dignity. For passengers, it delivers safer, more reliable rides with features like women-driver options and wheelchair access.
And for India, it’s a bold step toward a future where technology serves people, not profits. This is more than business it’s nation-building. If your tech company wants to be part of this change, now’s the time to act. Let’s build a smarter, fairer transport system together.
