Shakti Smart Card 2026: Can You Apply Online? Latest Status Explained

Many women are searching for a "Shakti smart card apply online" link. As of 15 October 2026, there is no official online application for the Shakti smart card. The government has not opened registration, and the card has not been issued to anyone yet. Free bus travel continues as before.

How to travel free right now

• Show your Aadhaar card (or another government photo ID) with a Karnataka address to the conductor.
• The conductor gives you a zero-value "Shakti" ticket. Keep it until the end of your journey.
• Free travel applies on KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC ordinary and express buses inside Karnataka.
• Premium buses such as Airavat, Ambaari, Rajahamsa, Vayu Vajra and Flybus are not free. Full fare applies.

Where the smart card stands today

• February 2026: The state cabinet approved Aadhaar-linked smart cards for Shakti, with the plan to start distribution in June 2026. That target was missed.
• June 2026: The transport minister said cards would come "soon", free for women, with production through a large tender for about 3 crore cards.
• October 2026: KSRTC invited bids for a system integrator to run chip-based smart cards across KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC, for both fare-paying passengers and Shakti users. The last date for bids is 28 October, technical bids open on 30 October and financial bids on 6 November.
• The rollout is planned to start as a pilot at one depot, then expand. Reports estimate about 12 months for the whole state.

When will you get the card?

A vendor can only be chosen after 6 November 2026, and the pilot comes after that. So most women should not expect a Shakti smart card before 2027. Until then, Aadhaar-based zero tickets remain valid. We will update this page when official registration opens.

Beware of fake "apply online" websites

• Some websites and YouTube videos show a "Shakti smart card apply link". These are not official.
• The card is free. Do not pay any fee, and do not share your Aadhaar number or OTP on unofficial sites.
• Official applications, when they open, will be announced by the Karnataka government and will use government portals such as Seva Sindhu (sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in) or official counters.