Delhi to Make Pink Saheli Smart Card Mandatory for Free Bus Travel from August 1, 2026

Key Facts

• The Pink Saheli Smart Card was launched on March 2, 2026, by President Droupadi Murmu.
• It will be mandatory for free bus travel on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses from August 1, 2026.
• Pink paper tickets previously issued remain valid only until July 31, 2026.
• Eligibility criteria include women and transgender residents of Delhi aged 12 years and above.
• Applicants must have a Delhi Aadhaar card and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for registration.
• The card is issued through 73 designated centres across Delhi; as of May 18, 2026, 840,618 cards had been issued.
• The Delhi government allocated Rs 450 crore in the 2026–27 budget for the free bus travel scheme and its digital integration.
• The Pink Saheli Smart Card is integrated with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) platform and is linked to the Centre’s One Nation, One Card framework.

Background & Context

The Pink Saheli Smart Card scheme is an initiative by the Delhi government aimed at improving digital inclusion and streamlining free bus travel benefits for women and transgender commuters in Delhi. Launched by the President of India in March 2026, the scheme replaces traditional paper tickets with a digital smart card system to ensure robust validation and secure travel on state-run and cluster buses.

Integration with the National Common Mobility Card system aligns the scheme with a wider central government push towards unified, interoperable payment mechanisms for public transport across India, enhancing convenience and transparency for commuters.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

The Pink Saheli Smart Card scheme is noteworthy for competitive exams emphasizing social welfare policies, women's empowerment, digital payment infrastructure, and urban transportation advancements in India. Key details such as the launch date (March 2, 2026), the enforcing authority (President Droupadi Murmu), operational start date (August 1, 2026), and linkage with national frameworks like NCMC are potential factual anchors for exam questions.

This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive transportation benefits targeting marginalized groups, as well as strides in digitizing public service delivery, reflecting contemporary governance priorities.

Points to Remember

• From August 1, 2026, the Pink Saheli Smart Card is mandatory for free travel on Delhi public buses; prior pink paper tickets will expire on July 31, 2026.
• The scheme targets women and transgender persons aged 12 and above residing in Delhi.
• Registration requires a Delhi Aadhaar card along with an Aadhaar-linked mobile phone number.
• The card system leverages the National Common Mobility Card and One Nation, One Card frameworks for interoperability and digital payment convenience.
• By mid-May 2026, over 840,000 Pink Saheli cards had been issued across 73 issuing centres.
• The Delhi government’s financial commitment includes Rs 450 crore allocated for fiscal year 2026–27 to fund this free travel scheme and its digital integration.
• The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is the main state-run bus operator implementing this initiative within the National Capital Territory.