The Saheli Smart Card Yojana is a new initiative launched by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, via the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the transport department. Its goal is to provide women (and transgender persons) aged 12 years or older who are residents of Delhi with a digital smart travel card that allows unlimited free rides on DTC and cluster buses.
While the primary benefit is travel-related, the scheme is important for women’s empowerment, mobility and safety: giving women a reliable, cost-free transit option helps them access work, education, healthcare and social activities without the burden of transport cost. The digital smart-card format improves safety (photo/name on card), prevents misuse, and modernises public transport access for women
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Though the scheme is chiefly about transport rather than healthcare or broad social welfare, by reducing a significant cost barrier (daily commute), it indirectly supports financial stability and social inclusion for women.
Saheli Smart Card Yojana Overview Table
| Scheme Name | Saheli Smart Card Yojana |
|---|---|
| Launched By | Delhi Government / DTC (National Capital Territory of Delhi) |
| Beneficiaries | Women and transgender residents of Delhi, aged 12 years or older |
| Objective | Provide free bus travel on DTC & cluster buses; improve mobility, safety & inclusion of women |
| Card Type | Physical smart-card under the NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) framework |
| Official Website / Portal | To be accessed via DTC portal (exact URL not specified in sources) |
| Application Mode | Online registration + KYC verification via partner bank (offline at bank branch) |
| Helpline Number | Not clearly specified in publicly available sources as of October 2025 |
Objectives of Saheli Smart Card Yojana
The scheme was introduced with several key aims in mind:
- Empowerment: To give women and transgender persons easier access to public transport, helping them move freely, attend school or work, and participate in social life without transport cost being a barrier.
- Safety & Inclusion: A smart card with a photo and name reduces misuse of free-travel schemes and ensures the benefit reaches the intended residents. It makes travel more secure and dignified.
- Financial relief: By providing free bus travel, it eases the everyday expense burden on women – especially benefit for lower-income groups — thereby contributing to greater financial stability at the household level.
- Modernisation of transport: The switch from the old “pink ticket” paper-based system to a digital smart-card under the NCMC framework helps streamline operations, reduce corruption/leakages, and make the public transport system more efficient and user-friendly.
- Social welfare: While not explicitly labelled as a healthcare or welfare card, by improving mobility it helps women access other services (healthcare, education, employment) more easily — contributing to broader welfare goals.
Key Features and Benefits of Saheli Smart Card
Here are the main features and benefits of the scheme (for Delhi as of Oct 2025):
- The card is personalised: it carries the holder’s name and photograph, helping ensure only eligible persons use it.
- Free travel on all DTC and cluster buses for cardholders aged 12+ who are residents of Delhi.
- The card is built under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework, meaning it may support top-up/recharge functionality and use on other transport modes (like Metro) though free travel benefit is limited to buses under the scheme.
- While bus rides for eligible users are free, issuing banks may charge a nominal issuance or maintenance fee for the card itself.
- The smart-card system aims to replace or supplement older paper ticket systems (like the pink ticket system for free women travel), reducing misuse and improving transparency.
- Card can be topped up for use beyond buses (for other modes) though benefits may differ.
- A lost or stolen card can be reported to the issuing bank and replaced per bank policy.
Eligibility Criteria for Saheli Smart Card Yojana
Based on the available information for Delhi:
- The applicant must be a resident of Delhi (NCT of Delhi).
- The applicant must be a woman or transgender person (as defined by the scheme) aged 12 years or older.
- The applicant must complete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification via a participating bank branch. (Which implies providing identity and address proof)
- As it is a free travel benefit, the applicant must apply and be verified to receive the card.
- Note: Income criteria, marital status, etc., have not been explicitly stated in public sources — there is no clear indication of an income threshold or other socioeconomic filters (at least in published media). So eligibility focuses on age, gender, residence, and acceptance of KYC.
- Also, the benefit is restricted to travel on DTC and cluster buses; to ensure residence eligibility is correctly verified so that only Delhi residents benefit, as per one report.
Required Documents for Application
Here are the commonly required documents (based on the media reports for Delhi scheme):
- Aadhaar Card (identity proof)
- Proof of residence in Delhi (address proof)
- PAN Card (for KYC)
- Passport-size photograph of the applicant
- Any additional bank-specific KYC documents (the issuing bank may ask for extra proof)
- Note: There’s no mention in available sources of requiring income certificate, marital status documents etc.
How to Apply for Saheli Smart Card Yojana (Online & Offline Process)
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how eligible applicants can apply (for the Delhi version):
Online registration part:
- Visit the official portal of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) or the dedicated Saheli Smart Card registration page.
- On the portal select “Apply for Saheli Smart Card” (or similar link) and fill in basic details (name, address, age, gender, etc.).
- Upload required documents (Aadhaar, address proof, photo, PAN as required) for initial verification.
- Choose a participating bank for card issuance (as required by the scheme).
KYC and offline verification at bank branch:
- Visit the selected bank branch with original documents as required for KYC verification (Aadhaar, PAN, address proof, photo etc).
- Bank verifies KYC, then cards are processed for issuing. The bank will then dispatch the physical smart card to your registered address.
Activation and use:
- On receipt of the card, you may need to activate it via the DTC’s automatic fare collection (AFCS) system before it can be used for free travel.
- After activation, you can start using the card on DTC and cluster buses for free travel (as per the scheme).
- In case of card loss or damage, report to the issuing bank for replacement per the bank’s policy.
How to Download or Check Status of Saheli Smart Card
Since the scheme is digital and involves issuance of a physical smart card, the functionalities may include status tracking. Based on available info:
- After submitting your online application, you may be able to check the application status via the DTC portal (if such a feature is implemented – not explicitly detailed in media reports).
- Once the card is issued by the bank and delivered, you may receive tracking or dispatch information from the bank.
- For cards that allow top-up or use in other transport modes, you may have a mobile app or web interface (via the issuing bank or DTC) to check balance or transaction history (though specific mention for this scheme is limited).
- If there is a mobile app component (indicated for future enhancements) you might also be able to download a card-profile or digital version — but as of the latest public reporting, the emphasis is on a physical smart card.
- If you want real-time status: interact with the issuing bank or the DTC customer service (once the scheme portal is live) and refer to the bank card tracking / activation status.
Benefits Comparison – Saheli Smart Card vs Other Women Welfare Schemes
Here’s a quick comparison to highlight how the Saheli Smart Card Yojana differs from or complements other schemes for women:
| Feature | Saheli Smart Card Yojana | Typical Women Welfare Schemes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary benefit | Free bus travel (mobility) for women & transgender residents (Delhi) | Financial cash-transfer, health insurance, skill training, subsidies |
| Eligibility base | Women/transgender aged 12+ residing in Delhi; KYC-verified | Varies: age, income, location, marital status, specific target (widows, mothers, etc) |
| Domain of benefit | Transport / mobility | Wider social welfare: health, education, livelihood, subsidies |
| Delivery mechanism | Smart card (physical) under NCMC, via bank and DTC | Many via direct benefit transfers, scheme-portals, local agencies |
| Cost to beneficiary | Free bus travel; card issuance/maintenance may have small bank fee | Usually free to apply; benefits may require meeting criteria (income, etc) |
| Additional features | Photo/name on card, recharge/top-up, digital infrastructure | May not always involve smart-card; often service-based or cash-based |
| Scope of usage | Primarily bus transport (with future potential for other modes) | Often multi-sectoral (health care, training, allowances, etc) |
Why Saheli Smart Card stands out:
- It directly tackles mobility — a key barrier for women’s access to work, education, healthcare.
- It uses a smart-card, digital and personalised approach which helps reduce misuse and increase transparency.
- It is part of a transport system (rather than just welfare cash) — enabling access and integration into city life.
- It complements other welfare schemes: better mobility means women can better utilise health/education/livelihood schemes.
Limitations to note:
- The benefit is location-specific (only in Delhi) and limited to bus transport (so far).
- It doesn’t offer direct cash or insurance benefits (unlike some welfare schemes).
- Some costs (card issuance/maintenance) may still fall on the user via issuing bank.
- The digital/physical rollout may take time; full list of features may evolve.
Conclusion – Why Every Woman Should Avail Saheli Smart Card Yojana
For any eligible woman (or transgender person) residing in Delhi, the Saheli Smart Card Yojana is a smart opportunity. It removes one of the big everyday hurdles — transport cost and convenience — so you can get to work, school, hospital or social events without worry about bus fares. The card is personalised, designed for you, and under the modern NCMC system. You’ll travel safer, easier, and more affordably. Even if you already have other support schemes, this one gives you mobility and mobility often means access to everything else: healthcare, education, livelihoods, social connections. So if you’re eligible (resident of Delhi, aged 12 or above, KYC-ready) then applying is a wise move. Don’t let the free rides pass you by they’re meant for you, and they empower you to be on the move, on your own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is Saheli Smart Card Yojana?
It is a government-scheme in Delhi that issues a smart travel card to women and transgender residents (aged 12+) enabling unlimited free rides on DTC and cluster buses.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply?
Women or transgender persons who are residents of Delhi (NCT), aged 12 years or older, and who complete the required KYC process via a participating bank. There is no publicly stated income or marital-status cutoff in the sources.
Q3. Is the Saheli Smart Card free of cost?
The travel benefit (bus rides) is free for eligible users. The card itself may involve a nominal issuance or maintenance fee charged by the issuing bank. The government does not charge fare for the bus travel under the scheme.
Q4. Can I apply online from my mobile?
Yes — you can register online via the DTC portal (or the designated application link) from mobile or PC, fill in details and upload documents. Then you will complete KYC at the bank branch as required.
Q5. What benefits will I get after receiving the card?
Once the card is activated:
- Free unlimited travel on DTC and cluster buses in Delhi.
- A personalised smart-card (with your name, photo) under the NCMC framework, which may also allow top-up for other transport modes (though free benefit is mainly for buses).