Pink Saheli Smart Card Becomes Mandatory
Delhi Makes Pink Saheli Smart Card Mandatory for Free Bus Travel from August 1: The Delhi government has made the Pink Saheli Smart Card mandatory for women to avail free bus travel on government-run buses from 1 August 2026.
The new system replaces the existing paper-based pink tickets used under Delhi’s free bus travel scheme for women.
Under the new arrangement, eligible women passengers must carry the smart card and tap it on the card reader while boarding the bus.
What Is the Pink Saheli Smart Card?
The Pink Saheli Smart Card is a digital travel card introduced to replace the paper pink tickets issued to women passengers.
The card is intended to:
- Digitise free bus travel
- Reduce paper-based ticketing
- Improve transparency
- Make verification easier
- Prevent misuse
- Improve operational efficiency
What Changes from August 1, 2026?
From 1 August 2026, the following rules will apply:
- Paper pink tickets will no longer be valid.
- Eligible women must possess a Pink Saheli Smart Card.
- The card must be tapped while boarding.
- Women without a valid Pink Saheli Smart Card will have to pay the regular bus fare.
The new system will apply to:
- Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses
- DIMTS cluster buses
Why Is Delhi Introducing the Smart Card?
The Delhi government is shifting from paper tickets to a digital system to make the free travel scheme more transparent and efficient.
Major Objectives
Digitalisation:
To convert the existing paper-based free travel system into a digital system.
Transparency:
To improve monitoring of free travel and ticket distribution.
Reduced Paper Use:
To minimise dependence on paper tickets.
Easy Verification:
Smart cards allow passenger eligibility to be checked electronically.
Prevention of Misuse:
Digital records can help reduce irregularities and misuse of the scheme.
Operational Efficiency:
The system is expected to simplify the implementation of the free travel programme.
Who Can Use the Pink Saheli Smart Card?
Women who are already eligible under Delhi’s existing free bus travel scheme can obtain the Pink Saheli Smart Card.
Eligible passengers must:
- Apply for the smart card.
- Carry the card while travelling.
- Tap the card on the bus reader while boarding.
Passengers without the required card after the new system becomes mandatory will need to pay the applicable fare.
Registration Centres
The Delhi government has established 50 authorised registration centres across the city for issuing Pink Saheli Smart Cards.
Eligible women can visit these centres and follow the registration procedures specified by the:
- Delhi Transport Department
- Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)
Awareness campaigns have also been launched to encourage eligible women to complete their registration before the deadline.
Significance of the Pink Saheli Smart Card
The initiative represents a shift towards digital and paperless public transport services.
It is expected to provide:
- Greater transparency in the free travel scheme
- Better monitoring of passenger benefits
- Reduced paperwork
- Faster verification
- Improved administration
- Lower chances of misuse
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Delhi Makes Pink Saheli Smart Card Mandatory for Free Bus Travel from August 1:
| Fact | Detail |
| Scheme | Pink Saheli Smart Card |
| State/UT | Delhi |
| Mandatory From | 1 August 2026 |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible women commuters |
| Replaces | Paper-based pink tickets |
| Main Transport Operator | Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) |
| Other Buses | DIMTS cluster buses |
| Usage | Tap card while boarding |
| Without Card | Normal fare applicable |
| Registration Centres | 50 authorised centres |
| Main Objective | Digitalise free bus travel |
| Key Benefits | Transparency, efficiency and reduced misuse |
| System Type | Digital smart-card based travel |
