On Monday, March 2, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu will formally inaugurate one of the most significant women-centric public transport reforms in Delhi, marking a progressive step towards gender-inclusive mobility in the national capital. The President is scheduled to launch the Pink National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) during the event titled “Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi” (Empowered Women, Prosperous Delhi) at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. This initiative is being introduced by the Delhi government with the aim of providing free bus travel to eligible women residents and integrating multiple modes of public transportation into a single, digital platform.
The Pink Mobility Card is a specialized version of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) — a smart transit card developed under India’s One Nation, One Card vision that enables seamless travel and payment across various public transport systems. While the traditional NCMC is used widely for metro, buses, tolls and other services, the Pink Card variant is tailored specifically for Delhi’s women residents. Under this scheme, women holding the Pink Card will be able to travel free of cost on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, easing daily commuting expenses and promoting safer, more accessible mobility for women across the city.
In addition to free bus rides, the card will also serve as a regular NCMC smart card, allowing users to access paid services on Delhi Metro, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and other public transport networks using the same card. This unified system simplifies transit and encourages greater use of public transport, aligning with Delhi’s broader goal of modernising its mobility infrastructure and reducing reliance on cash and paper-based tickets.
The Delhi government has authorised Hindon Mercantile Limited (MufinPay) and Airtel Payments Bank Limited to issue the cards, which will be integrated with the existing Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) across the capital’s transport network. Around 50 issuance centres — including District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate offices and selected DTC locations — will be set up to provide the cards to eligible residents with minimal documentation. Each card will be linked to the beneficiary’s mobile number and Aadhaar to verify age, gender (female) and Delhi residency, ensuring transparency and preventing duplication.
Push for Digital & Women-Friendly Transport
The Pink Mobility Card replaces aging paper-based pink tickets and introduces a contactless, digital solution for tracking journeys, reducing cash transactions and enhancing revenue transparency. Digital travel data will also support better planning of bus routes and services, making the system more efficient. The shift to a smart, touch-free card reflects Delhi’s ambition to build a modern and inclusive public transport ecosystem that caters to its diverse population.
President Droupadi Murmu’s presence at the launch adds national significance to the programme, highlighting the importance of gender empowerment in India’s urban policy agenda. At the same event, she is also expected to inaugurate additional welfare schemes, including a free LPG cylinder initiative for ration card-holding families and the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, which expands support for girls’ education and financial security. These launches reflect a broader commitment by the central and state governments to support women’s development across various spheres of life.
Overall, the Pink Mobility Card initiative represents a milestone in public transport policy — one that combines gender equity, digital innovation and inclusive governance to ensure that women in Delhi can move freely, affordably and securely throughout the city.
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