Pink Saheli Smart Card: What is the age requirement for getting a Saheli card, and how will it work on buses?
Women in Delhi are set to receive a special gift at the beginning of 2026. From January 2026, the pink tickets for free travel on DTC buses will be discontinued and replaced with Pink Saheli Smart Cards. Women will need to obtain this smart card for free travel on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses. Approximately 20 million women travel on Delhi buses every month.
It is expected that the Pink Saheli Smart Card scheme will be launched on January 14, 2026. DTC has finalized two private vendors for issuing the smart cards, and counters will be set up across Delhi for card issuance. However, women must have an Aadhaar card with a Delhi address to obtain the Pink Saheli Smart Card. Without it, the smart card will not be issued. Special counters for smart cards will be set up at DM offices, SDM offices, bus depots, and Common Service Centers (CSCs).
Age Requirement for Saheli Card
According to DTC officials, the minimum age to obtain a Pink Saheli Card is 12 years. Women aged 12 years or older who are residents of Delhi and possess a Delhi Aadhaar card will be eligible to apply for this card. Once the card is issued, it will be used by tapping it, similar to how a MetroCard is used. The bus conductor will have an Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM) on which the card will need to be tapped. The Aam Aadmi Party government launched the pink ticket scheme for free bus travel for women in 2019. Now, the BJP government has replaced it with a smart card system.
Only these women will receive Pink Saheli Cards.
The Delhi government has already clarified that this scheme is only for women residing in Delhi. Women living in the NCR who do not have a Delhi Aadhaar card will not be eligible for this scheme. The primary requirement for obtaining a Pink Saheli Smart Card is a Delhi Aadhaar card. However, there is no income limit for this scheme, and any woman residing in Delhi can apply for it.
Will there be a fee for the Pink Saheli card?
The administration has not yet clarified whether any fee will have to be paid to the bank or vendor for obtaining the Pink Saheli smart card. However, the card itself will be issued completely free of charge.
Will travel still be possible with a pink ticket?
There are talks of this scheme being launched on January 14th. After its launch, it will likely be difficult to travel on DTC buses without this smart card. However, some time may be given to obtain the smart card.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Navbharat Times. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
