The Centre’s Transport Ministry has today (July 2, 2025) approved new guidelines allowing app‑based cab aggregators—like Ola, Uber, Rapido, inDrive—to raise peak‑hour surge fares up to 2× the base rate, while mandating that during off‑peak hours fares must not fall below 50% of the base . The move, aimed at balancing demand‑supply dynamics and curbing unsustainable discounting, comes with a three‑month window for states to notify official base fares for different vehicle types, including taxis, auto‑rickshaws, and bike taxis . Additional measures include a cancellation penalty—10% of the fare (capped at ₹100)—shared between driver and aggregator, mandatory vehicle tracking devices, minimum insurance cover for drivers, and periodic refresher training, with low‑rated drivers facing suspension . These guidelines are designed to standardize pricing, enhance safety, and improve accountability in the ride‑hailing ecosystem.

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