The MSRTC NCMC card is a National Common Mobility Card (RuPay) issued for Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus passengers. It works as a prepaid travel card: you load money onto it and tap it on the conductor’s ETIM (Electronic Ticket Issuing Machine) instead of paying cash for every ticket. For passengers who qualify for a travel concession — senior citizens, women, students and divyang passengers — the card also stores the concession entitlement, so the correct discounted fare is deducted automatically.
This is an independent, unofficial guide. It is not affiliated with MSRTC or the Government of Maharashtra, and it is not the official application portal. Card fees, documents and processes can change during the rollout — check the MSRTC official source before you apply or pay anything.
MSRTC NCMC Card at a Glance
| Full form | National Common Mobility Card (RuPay) — part of the One Nation One Card programme |
| Card fee | ₹199 for a new card; ₹149 for old-card exchange (per 2026 reports — check official source) |
| Minimum balance | ₹100 (per 2026 reports — check official source) |
| Registration | At MSRTC depots and authorised centres |
Who Can Get a Concession Card
MSRTC runs several concession schemes, and the NCMC card is the way many of these concessions are now loaded and verified on the bus. The main categories reported in 2026 are:
| Category | Benefit | Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Senior citizens 75+ | Free travel | Amrut Jyeshtha Nagarik |
| Senior citizens 65–74 | 50% concession | As per scheme |
| Women | 50% concession | Mahila Samman |
| Students | Monthly pass | SARAL |
| Divyang | 50–100% concession | UDID cardholders |
| Journalists | As per scheme | As per scheme |
(Per 2026 reports; check the MSRTC official source for the current concession rules and eligibility.)
How to Apply for the MSRTC NCMC Card
Method 1 — Apply at the depot (offline)
- Visit the nearest MSRTC depot or authorised centre. These are the official registration points for the card. Go during counter hours and ask for the NCMC card application.
- Carry the documents for your category. Senior citizens should carry age proof; divyang passengers should carry a government-issued ID along with the UDID card; students should carry a valid student ID; women passengers should carry a government-issued ID. Carry originals plus photocopies so the counter can verify them on the spot.
- Fill in the application form. The form is available at the counter. Fill it carefully — the name and category on the form decide which concession gets loaded on your card.
- Pay the card fee. The reported fee is ₹199 for a new card and ₹149 for an old-card exchange (per 2026 reports — check official source). Pay only at the official counter and take a receipt. Never pay extra money to unofficial agents or touts who promise faster cards.
- Collect the card or the registration receipt, and wait for activation. You may get the card immediately or a receipt first. Follow the activation instructions given at the counter before you try to use the card on a bus.
Method 2 — Apply online
Where the facility is available, you can register through the official MSRTC portal instead of visiting a depot. A word of caution: no random third-party website is the official portal. Fraud websites copy the look of government portals to collect fees and personal data. If you are not sure a link is genuine, skip the online route and register at the depot — check the MSRTC official source for the correct link.
How to Recharge Your NCMC Card
The card is prepaid, so you need to keep a balance on it. These are the recharge options reported in 2026:
- In-bus ETIM machines — the conductor’s ticket machine can top up the card.
- Depot ticket windows — recharge at the counter when you are at the bus stand.
- Online, via UPI or partner banks — where the facility is supported.
- Authorised centres — other official points notified by MSRTC.
October-2026 update (per news reports): you can recharge through the BHIM app by scanning the QR printed on the back of the card, and conductors can sync the updated balance on board. A ₹40 cashback was offered till October 31, 2026 (per reports — check the MSRTC official source to see whether the offer is still running).
How to Use the Card on MSRTC Buses
Using the card on a bus is simple. When you board, tap the card on the conductor’s ETIM machine. The machine reads the concession stored on your card and deducts the correct fare automatically — you do not need to explain your concession category every time. Keep the card ready during the journey, because ticket-checking staff may ask to see it at checks. If the tap does not go through, the conductor will guide you — do not try to force the card on the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NCMC card mandatory for all MSRTC passengers?
No. It is required only if you want to claim a travel concession on your tickets. Regular passengers can continue to buy normal tickets with cash or UPI, as before.
What should I do if I registered but the card has not arrived?
Keep your registration receipt safe — it is valid proof that you applied. For the current status of your card, check the MSRTC official source or ask at the depot where you registered.
Can the card be used on metro or city buses?
The NCMC is a RuPay-based national mobility card designed to work across many transport systems in India. Whether a particular metro or city bus accepts it depends on that operator — confirm acceptance with them before you travel.
What documents does a woman passenger need?
A government-issued ID is the basic requirement (per 2026 reports). The depot may also ask for the filled application form — check the MSRTC official source for the latest list.
What if my card is lost?
Get a replacement card issued at the depot. The reported replacement fee is ₹199 (per 2026 reports — check official source). Report the loss at the depot so the old card can be blocked.
Is balance enquiry charged?
Balance enquiry is reported as free at depots (check official source). You can also see the balance when the conductor taps the card on the ETIM machine.
This is an independent, unofficial guide — not affiliated with MSRTC or the Government of Maharashtra. For the latest per-stage fares and route prices, see our MSRTC Bus Fare 2026 guide.
Quick Tips Before You Apply
- Apply well before you need the concession — card issuance and activation can take time during busy periods.
- Keep photocopies of your documents and the payment receipt together; you will need the receipt if the card is delayed or if you have to follow up at the depot.
- Do not laminate the card or punch holes in it — the chip and the QR code on the back must stay readable for ETIM taps and BHIM-app recharges.
- If your concession category changes (for example, when you turn 75), ask at the depot how the entitlement on the card gets updated.
- Recharge in small amounts at first until you are comfortable with the tap-and-go process on the bus.
- Check the MSRTC official source for any change in fees or documents before you visit — this guide is updated periodically, but the depot counter has the final word.
A little preparation makes the whole process smooth: the right documents, the exact fee, and the registration receipt kept safely. Once the card is active and loaded, daily bus travel becomes a simple tap — no more counting change or explaining your concession at every trip.