Flipkart, in collaboration with Pine Labs, has launched the Flipkart Bharat Yatra Card, a digital prepaid card designed to simplify public transport payments across India. The card is compatible with all systems that accept National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)– including metros, buses, and other public transit services– allowing contactless and offline payments under a unified platform.
Key Highlights
Purpose
- To streamline travel payments by integrating various transport networks under one digital platform.
- To support the Digital India initiative and the One Nation, One Card mission.
- To promote financial inclusion by allowing even non-KYC users to use digital payment modes.
- To reduce waiting time, eliminate ticketing queues, and simplify recharges for commuters.
Card Specifications
| Feature | Details |
| Name | Flipkart Bharat Yatra Card |
| Issuer Partners | Flipkart & Pine Labs |
| Price | ₹50 |
| Type | Prepaid, reloadable, NCMC-enabled card |
| Offline Limit | Up to ₹2,000 (without KYC) |
| Top-up Options | UPI, Bharat Yatra Card App, Bharat Connect (formerly BBPS), metro counters |
| Usage | Metros, buses, and all NCMC-integrated systems |
| Availability | Flipkart app & Flipkart Minutes (quick-commerce platform) |
| Activation | Through QR code or Bharat Yatra Card App (available on Android & iOS) |
| Card Management | Multiple cards can be linked under one account for family/group convenience |
Ease of Access & Functionality
- Offline Transactions: Enables quick and secure contactless payments even without internet access.
- Quick Recharge: Allows instant top-ups via UPI or Bharat Connect platform.
- Multiple Card Management: Users can manage several cards within one account- suitable for families and frequent commuters.
- Integrated App Support: The Bharat Yatra Card app provides balance check, recharge, and activation features.
Significance
- With India’s daily metro ridership reaching 10.2 million (Economic Survey 2025), the card will significantly reduce transaction time and boost transit efficiency.
- Strengthens digital mobility infrastructure under the Digital India initiative.
- Encourages cashless, seamless, and interoperable public transport systems.
- Extends financial access to those outside the formal banking/KYC framework.
- Promotes Make in India fintech innovation through domestic digital payment integration.
About National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)
- Launched by: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- Year of Launch: 2019 (Ahmedabad Metro – India’s first NCMC-enabled metro)
- Scheme Name: One Nation, One Card
- Implemented by: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
- Technology Used: RuPay platform
- Objective: To enable interoperable and contactless payments across different modes of transport and retail services.
Features of NCMC
- Universal Mobility Card: Works across metros, buses, suburban rail, parking, and retail payments.
- Offline Capability: Allows payments even without network connectivity.
- Domestic Infrastructure: Developed under the Make in India initiative using RuPay technology.
- Integration: Works across all transport operators and merchant payment terminals supporting NCMC standards.
One Nation, One Card Initiative
- Objective: To unify India’s public transport payments across states and cities under a single interoperable system.
- Implemented Through:
- NCMC project (NPCI & Ministry of Finance)
- Supported by MoHUA for integration in urban mobility systems.
- Key Outcome: Travelers can use one card across multiple transport modes, simplifying both intercity and intracity travel.
About Flipkart
- Founded: 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Parent Company: Walmart Inc. (acquired 77% stake in 2018)
- Core Areas: E-commerce, digital finance, logistics, and consumer tech.
- Digital Services: Flipkart Pay Later, Flipkart UPI, and now Bharat Yatra Card — expanding its fintech portfolio.
About Pine Labs
- Founded: 1998
- Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Type: Fintech company providing payment solutions and merchant platforms.
- Key Products:
- Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals
- Loyalty & gift card solutions
- Consumer credit and prepaid cards
- Global Presence: Operates across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
- Established: 2008
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Promoted by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)
- Key Products:
- RuPay – India’s domestic card scheme
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface) – Real-time digital payment system
- BBPS (Bharat Bill Payment System) – Integrated bill payment platform
- FASTag – For automatic toll payments
- AePS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System)
Digital India Initiative
- Launched: 1 July 2015
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Objective: To transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy through:
- Universal digital access
- E-governance and smart mobility
- Digital payments and fintech innovation
Urban Transport & Smart Mobility
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- Flagship Missions:
- Smart Cities Mission (2015)
- Metro Rail Expansion Projects
- One Nation, One Card under NCMC initiative
- Aim: To create sustainable, efficient, and digital urban mobility systems.
According to Economic Survey 2025,
- India’s daily metro ridership crossed 10.2 million passengers.
- Urban transport digitization is projected to contribute significantly to the Digital Payments Mission.