NCMC smart card made mandatory for women, senior citizens on ST buses deferred to January 1, 2027

Women and senior citizens travelling in ST buses have been given major relief. The requirement of the NCMC smart card for those who do not yet have one has been extended to January 1, 2027. Transport Minister and ST Corporation chairman Pratap Sarnaik gave the information.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation offers travel at concessional rates to various sections of society on the government's directions. To ensure these concessions reach beneficiaries more easily, transparently and effectively, a process to issue NCMC smart cards to women, senior citizens and Amrut senior citizens was started.

The NCMC smart card was made mandatory from October 1, 2026 to avail these concessions. About 1.10 crore cards have so far been registered and distributed. However, card registration of many women beneficiaries in rural areas is still incomplete. The reason is that information about the scheme did not reach them, so they remain without the smart card.

The deadline has been extended in view of the large number of women beneficiaries and the difficulties arising during registration in villages. Several social organisations, elected representatives, leaders of political parties and ministers had also made requests and suggestions to this effect. Taking these positively, the decision to make the card mandatory has been deferred to January 1, 2027.

This means that even if women and senior citizens do not have an NCMC smart card, they will be able to avail ST travel concessions from tomorrow, November 7, 2026, to December 31, 2026. It is a big relief for those whose card registration is not yet complete. The corporation has appealed to all eligible women and senior citizens to get their NCMC smart cards registered during this period.

The ST Corporation has now decided to hold special registration camps at the gram panchayat level. The camps will be run with the active participation of local elected representatives, passenger organisations and gram panchayat office-bearers. Through this drive, the corporation has set a target of completing 100 per cent NCMC card registration and distribution for all eligible beneficiaries by December 31, 2026.

Pratap Sarnaik said the ST Corporation is committed to ensuring that women and senior citizens do not have to go without travel concessions. Through this special drive, an effort is being made to get the NCMC smart card to every eligible beneficiary in the state. He appealed to citizens, local elected representatives and the concerned agencies to cooperate in making the drive a success.