Delhi Cabinet Approves DURGA Scheme: 1,300 Pink E-Autos for Women and Transgender Persons

The Delhi Cabinet approved the Driving Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto (DURGA) scheme on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. In the first phase, 1,300 pink electric autos will be allocated, 1,170 for women and 130 for transgender beneficiaries. The scheme combines self-employment with safer and cleaner public transport.

Key Details of the DURGA Scheme

Beneficiaries will own and drive the e-autos. Applications will be invited through a dedicated online portal. The government has not yet announced when the portal will open.

• Total autos (first phase): 1,300
• For women: 1,170, capped at 90 per revenue district
• For transgender persons: 130, capped at 10 per revenue district
• Branding: the vehicles will carry distinct “DURGA” branding and identification features, so passengers can recognize them easily.

The two per-district caps also show how many districts are covered. 1,170 divided by 90, and 130 divided by 10, both give 13 revenue districts.

Eligibility Conditions

Women Applicants

• Age between 20 and 40 years
• Resident of Delhi
• Valid voter ID card
• Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving licence
• Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge
• Not more than three children
• Neither the applicant nor her family may own a registered transport vehicle or a three-wheeler
• Family income for FY 2025-26 not above Rs 5 lakh

Transgender Applicants

• Valid transgender certificate issued by the office of the Delhi District Magistrate
• Age between 20 and 40 years
• Delhi residency
• Valid voter ID card, LMV licence and PSV badge

Lock-In Period, Charging and Monitoring

Each e-auto will have a mandatory three-year lock-in. During this period the vehicle cannot be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of.

The scheme is to be linked with the public transport network. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has said it has already made space for EV charging at the parking lots of 70 metro stations.

The government expects jobs in repair, servicing, charging and battery recycling. The scheme’s socio-economic impact will be assessed periodically.

Why the Scheme Matters

The government says the scheme addresses the commuting and safety concerns of the women and transgender passengers, particularly in the early morning and late evening hours. It also aims to raise the participation of women and transgender persons in the transport sector and to improve last-mile connectivity.

Delhi has run e-auto permit drives before. In October 2021, under its EV policy, the Delhi government launched online registration for e-auto permits with 33 per cent reservation for women, and offered Rs 30,000 in financial assistance on the purchase of an e-auto. DURGA differs in that it is reserved entirely for women and transgender persons.

Static Facts Related to the DURGA Scheme

• Full form: Driving Upliftment and Rozgar for Women/Transgender Green E-Auto
• Approved by: Delhi Cabinet (23 September 2026)
• Chief Minister: Rekha Gupta
• Government: Government of NCT of Delhi
• Vehicle type: Pink electric auto-rickshaw
• Total autos (phase 1): 1,300 (1,170 women, 130 transgender)
• Per-district cap: 90 (women), 10 (transgender)
• Age limit: 20–40 years
• Income limit: Rs 5 lakh (FY 2025–26)
• Lock-in period: 3 years
• Charging support: Parking lots of 70 metro stations (DMRC)