NCW issues new safety guidelines for women using app-based cabs, asks states to implement them

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday issued new guidelines for the safety of women travelling in app-based cabs. They call for a working panic button, real-time alerts if a vehicle strays from its set route, and monitoring when a vehicle halts for long or at a suspicious location. Cab service companies have also been urged to set up 24x7 command and control centres.

NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said the guidelines aim to strengthen existing arrangements that fix safety and accountability at the time of booking, during the ride and after it ends. According to her, this will help ensure women's safety in public spaces.

Rahatkar also said the commission has asked all states and Union Territories to implement the new guidelines and take the necessary steps.

The guidelines say cab companies should regularly review their safety protocols and standard operating procedures (SOP). They call for a time-bound system for resolving complaints, for complaints to be forwarded to law enforcement agencies, and for periodic reports on compliance and safety arrangements.

According to the guidelines, any unapproved change of driver or vehicle will be properly recorded on the app and treated as a safety matter. This is in line with Section 15.4 of the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, under which the app must have a way to check that the driver making the trip is the person registered. Under Section 14.9, a clear, high-resolution photograph of the driver must be shown on the app.

One recommendation for women passengers is that they should be able to cancel a ride without any penalty if the driver or vehicle details shown on the app do not match the actual details. The guidelines also cover verification of drivers and vehicles.

Seeking greater safety on late-night rides, the guidelines say companies should build stronger verification and monitoring systems for drivers who work late at night. Measures that may be included are mandatory verification of the driver's photograph at the start of a trip, action if a driver is found intoxicated, a facility to automatically share trip details with trusted contacts if the passenger wishes, monitoring by a strong command and control centre, and an option to be dropped at a safe place at the end of the ride.

The commission also said drivers should be given periodic training in safety and gender sensitivity. The guidelines say drivers need a criminal record check, police verification and a background check before being hired and at regular intervals afterwards.