Delhi government had started the facility of free bus travel for women in the year 2019, which was known as Pink Ticket Scheme. Lakhs of women got daily relief from this scheme and their travel expenses were saved. However, with time, some problems emerged in this system, such as misuse of tickets, outsiders taking advantage and the problem of paper tickets. To eliminate these problems, now Delhi Government has brought Pink Saheli Smart Card Scheme 2026.

This scheme has come into effect from January 2026. Now women will not get pink paper tickets, but will get a digital smart card, through which they will be able to travel free in DTC and cluster buses. As soon as the news of this scheme came, many questions started arising in the minds of women whether every woman can get this card made and is there any age limit for it. So let us tell you today whether age limit will be applicable on making Pink Saheli Card and what are its rules.

Is age limit applicable on Pink Saheli Card?

Age limit has been fixed for making Pink Saheli Smart Card. Under this scheme, women and transgender persons aged 12 years or above can apply for Pink Saheli Card. Girls below 12 years of age will not get this card, that is, if a girl is 11 years of age or less, then she will not be able to travel free bus through this smart card.

Who can make Pink Saheli card?

1. Age condition – The age of the applicant should be at least 12 years.

2. It is necessary to be a permanent resident of Delhi – This scheme is only for women and transgender people living in Delhi. Women living in NCR (Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram) will not be eligible for this scheme.

3. Aadhar card of Delhi is necessary – It is necessary to have Delhi address in Aadhar card. Without Delhi Aadhar Card, Pink Saheli Smart Card will not be made.

4. No limit on income – There is no limit on income in this scheme. Any woman from poor, middle class or rich Delhi can be eligible.

How will Pink Saheli Smart Card work?

This will be a digital smart card. While boarding the bus, the card will have to be tapped on the conductor’s machine (ETM). Just like the metro card works, this card will also work in the same way. The card will have name, photo and QR code, which will prevent misuse. Delhi government has planned to open counters at many places for making Pink Saheli cards. Like DM office, SDM office, DTC bus depot, Jan Suvidha Kendra (CSC) and selected bank branches. Apart from this, the facility of online application can also be started in future.

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A big facility is coming for the women of Delhi in 2026. Delhi government will end the Pink Ticket system and start Pink Saheli Smart Card.

With this card, women will be able to travel free in Delhi buses. While boarding the bus, the card will have to be tapped on the conductor’s ETM machine. To avail the benefits of the scheme, the woman must be at least 12 years of age and her permanent address must be in Delhi.

Aadhaar card with Delhi address will be mandatory. This facility will be available only for women living in Delhi. The government is planning to implement it from January 26, 2026. Smart cards will be made by DTC at special counters. This is a digital, transparent and misuse-free version of the Pink Ticket of 2019.

Delhi Saheli Smart Card: Free travel for women in Delhi government buses has been a big relief for a long time. Till now lakhs of women have been traveling daily with the help of pink tickets. But now this system is about to change. Delhi government is preparing to introduce Pink Saheli Smart Card in place of Pink Ticket. This change could later lead to the end of free travel for some women.

If you live in Delhi and you travel by DTC or cluster bus daily. So before leaving the house, it is important to know whether your Pink Saheli smart card will be made under the new rules or not. Let us tell you which women will not be able to get Pink Saheli Smart Card.

Which women will not get the benefit of free travel?

After the implementation of Pink Saheli Smart Card, free travel will be available only to those women who fulfill the prescribed conditions. First of all, this card will be only for permanent women of Delhi. That is, those who do not have a valid address or identity of Delhi. She will not be able to avail the benefit of free travel. The second important condition is regarding age. This card will not be made for girls below 12 years of age.

In such a situation, she will not be able to travel directly for free like a pink ticket. Apart from this, those women who did not get smart card made. They too will not get the benefit of free travel. This means that now non-resident women have to travel free. So the card will be necessary. At present no limit has been set regarding income in the card. But if the conditions of identity and age are not fulfilled, free travel may be stopped.

What is the process of making the card?

The application process for Pink Saheli Smart Card is being conducted both online and offline. First of all, women will have to register on the DTC portal of Delhi Transport Corporation. At the time of registration, you will have to choose the bank from which the card is to be made. After this, you will have to go to the selected bank and complete the KYC process through Aadhar card. After the process is completed, the Saheli smart card will be sent directly to the home address by the bank.

After receiving the card, the next important step is to activate it. This will be activated through DTC’s Automatic Fare Collection System i.e. AFCS. After activation, the card will start working for free travel in buses. If needed, the beneficiary can top it up like a metro card and use it at other places also. Apart from this, Delhi government is preparing to open counters at different places for offline applications. Banks have been instructed to set up counters at DM offices, SDM offices, bus depots and CSC i.e. public convenience centres.

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