The question of whether an Aadhaar card is mandatory for women to ride buses for free is complex, as it depends on the specific state and scheme in question. Different states in India have implemented or are planning to implement free bus travel schemes for women, and the requirements for availing these benefits vary.
Andhra Pradesh:
The Andhra Pradesh government launched the "Stree Shakti" free bus travel scheme for women on August 15, 2025. As part of this scheme, all girls, women, and transgender persons with Andhra Pradesh domicile status can travel anywhere in the state for free in APSRTC buses. To avail the benefit, passengers must present identity proofs such as a voter identity card, Aadhaar card, ration card, or driving license to conductors. This scheme applies to Pallevelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express, and Express services, but not to non-stop, super luxury, and air-conditioned buses or services on ghat roads. The government expects 2.62 crore women to benefit from this scheme, which will be implemented on 74% of the state's buses. The "Stree Shakti" scheme is estimated to cost the government ₹1,942 crore per annum. While an Aadhaar card is accepted as proof of identity, it is not the only acceptable document.
Delhi:
In Delhi, the government is planning to replace the existing "pink ticket" system with a "Pink Pass" for free bus rides for women. This new system aims to ensure that only women who are residents of Delhi can avail of the benefit. To access the Pink Pass, an Aadhaar card will be mandatory. This requirement aims to prevent women from neighboring states from using the service. The "Saheli Smart Card" will be Aadhaar-seeded and linked to Delhi's residential database. This means that women and transgender persons residing in neighboring NCR cities will no longer be eligible for free rides, although they can purchase the card as regular NCMC users. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is set to roll out the “Saheli Smart Card” to enable free bus travel for women and transgender persons in the Capital. The cards, bearing the beneficiary's name and photo, must be applied for online via the DTC website and will be delivered by post.
General Considerations:
In Andhra Pradesh, while an Aadhaar card is an acceptable form of identification, other documents like a voter ID or ration card can also be used. Conversely, Delhi is moving towards making Aadhaar mandatory for its free bus travel scheme, demonstrating a stricter approach to verifying residency. The mandatory use of Aadhaar cards aims to streamline the registration process, enhance accountability, and prevent revenue leakage. Some schemes might initially accept various government-issued IDs but plan to transition to smart cards in the future, making the smart cards mandatory for free travel.
Therefore, whether an Aadhaar card is mandatory for free bus travel depends on the specific rules of the state-run scheme. While some states accept it as one of several valid ID proofs, others are moving towards making it a mandatory requirement to ensure that the benefit reaches the intended residents and to streamline the process.
