DTC Bus Pass 2026: Types, Fares, Documents & How to Apply
Complete DTC bus pass guide for Delhi: student, senior citizen, general, NCR and free passes, latest fares, documents required, pass section locations and how to apply.
A DTC bus pass is a prepaid travel card from the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) that lets you take unlimited bus rides for a fixed period, instead of buying a ticket every trip. If you travel by bus in Delhi every day for college, work or errands, a pass is usually the cheapest and easiest way to ride.
DTC Computerized Bus Pass System: Key Features
DTC moved to computerized bus passes on 1 July 2007, so getting a pass today is quick and paperless at most counters. Here is what that means for you:
- Fast issue: your pass is printed by computer within about 2 minutes.
- Photo ID pass: you are photographed on a web camera at the counter, so you don't need to bring a photo.
- ID card fee: ₹15 extra for the photo ID card-cum-bus pass.
- No security deposit is required.
- Flexible validity: choose 1 to 6 months (senior citizens can take up to 12 months).
- Exceptions: student destination passes are issued month by month; passes for freedom fighters and persons with disabilities are issued yearly.
- Easy renewal: renew in the last 3 days before your pass expires.
- Card payment: pay for new or renewed monthly passes by debit or credit card (Visa/Master).
Types of DTC Bus Pass and Price List
The DTC monthly pass costs as little as ₹100 for students and ₹800 for the general all-route pass. Prices below are the monthly denominations listed on the official DTC website; the ₹15 ID card fee is extra.
| Pass Type | Non-AC (₹/month) | AC (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Student – Monthly Destination | 100 | – |
| Student – All Route | 100 | – |
| Student – All Route (Special) | 150 | – |
| General All Route (GLS) | 800 | 1,000 |
| Senior Citizen 60+ (All Route) | 250 | 350 |
| Press All Route | 100 | 200 |
| BPL/AAY family members | 500 | – |
| Free passes (eligible categories) | Free | Free |
What these mean:
- Destination pass: valid only between your home and one fixed place, such as your school or college.
- All Route pass: ride any DTC route inside Delhi as many times as you like.
- GLS (General): the standard pass for office-goers and anyone else who does not fall into a concession category.
DTC Senior Citizen Pass, Student Pass and Free Passes
DTC Senior Citizen Pass:
Anyone aged 60 or above living in Delhi can get a senior citizen all-route pass. The Delhi government pays most of the cost:
- Non-AC pass (₹250): the government pays ₹200, you pay just ₹50.
- AC pass (₹350): the government pays ₹200, you pay ₹150.
- No income limit: since 1 October 2011, all senior citizens qualify regardless of income.
- Longer validity: you can take the pass for up to 12 months at once.
DTC Bus Pass for Students:
Students get the cheapest passes, starting at ₹100 a month. Your school or college must attest the form. Destination passes are issued one month at a time.
DTC Free Pass: Who Is Eligible?
These groups can travel free on DTC buses:
- Persons with disabilities
- Freedom fighters (with one attendant)
- International sportspersons
- National awardees
- War widows and their dependents
- MLAs and MPs of Delhi (with one attendant)
Women and transgender residents of Delhi also travel free, now through the Pink Saheli Smart Card (see the section below).
DTC Inter-State (NCR) and Airport Express Passes
If you commute between Delhi and a nearby NCR city, DTC offers inter-state passes from ₹1,160 a month.
| Route / Pass | Price (₹/month) |
|---|---|
| Delhi – Bahadurgarh | 1,160 |
| Delhi – Gurgaon (Gurugram) | 1,500 |
| Delhi – Ghaziabad | 1,640 |
| Delhi – Faridabad | 1,800 |
| Airport Express/Coaches – NCT Delhi + Airport Express | 1,400 |
| Airport Express/Coaches – NCT Delhi + Airport Express + Palam Coach + NCR routes | 1,800 |
The ₹1,800 airport pass is the widest option: unlimited rides in Delhi plus inter-state NCR routes. The ₹1,400 version covers Delhi and the Airport Express only.
DTC Pass Rates for Different Durations
You don't have to buy a full month: DTC lists rates from a single day (₹40) up to a full year (₹8,640) for ordinary buses.
| Duration | Ordinary/Non-AC (₹) | AC (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | 40 | 50 |
| Weekly | 280 | 350 |
| Fortnightly | 560 | 700 |
| Monthly | 800 | 1,000 |
| Quarterly | 2,280 | 2,850 |
| Half-yearly | 4,440 | 5,550 |
| Yearly | 8,640 | 10,800 |
The official page shows this table under a "Press" heading, but the monthly figures match the general all-route pass. Confirm the exact category at the pass counter before paying.
Money-saving tip: a quarterly pass (₹2,280) costs ₹120 less than three monthly passes (₹2,400), and a yearly pass saves ₹960 over twelve months.
DTC Bus Pass Documents Required
The documents depend on your pass category. Carry originals plus a photocopy to be safe.
| Pass Category | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Student concession | Pass form with photo, attested by your school or college |
| BPL/AAY family members | BPL/AAY certificate or document issued by the competent authority of GNCTD |
| Senior citizen (60+) | Age proof + Delhi residence proof + pass form attested by a Gazetted Officer, MLA or MP |
| Persons with disabilities (free) | Delhi ration card + medical certificate + ID card issued by the area SDM |
| War widows (free) | Relevant certificate + Delhi ration card + copy of pension book |
| Freedom fighters (free) | Relevant certificate + Delhi ration card + copy of bank passbook where pension is drawn |
| International sportspersons (free) | Certificate from host country and Government of India for representing India (e.g. Asiad, Olympics) + Delhi ration card |
| Awardees (free) | Relevant certificate + Delhi ration card |
| Press pass | Accreditation card issued by PIB or DIP |
| General (GLS) | Filled application form; photo is taken at the counter |
You can download the computerized bus pass application form from the official DTC pass page.
How to Make a DTC Bus Pass: Step-by-Step
Offline at a DTC Pass Section:
- Visit a pass section: go to any of the 40 DTC pass sections (list below).
- Get the form: buy the application form for ₹1 at the counter, or download it in advance from the DTC website.
- Fill it in: enter your details and pass type. Students and senior citizens should get the form attested first.
- Submit documents: hand over the form with the documents for your category.
- Photo: the staff take your photo with a web camera; no need to bring one.
- Pay: pay the pass fare plus ₹15 for the photo ID card, in cash or by debit/credit card.
- Collect your pass: it is printed in about 2 minutes.
DTC Pass Online Apply:
The Delhi Transport Department launched online bus passes in October 2018. According to The Tribune, the service started with general category passes on dtcpass.delhi.gov.in, delivered by post within five working days, with ₹33 extra for printing and postage. You fill in your details, upload a photo and pay by debit card, credit card or net banking.
Online availability and categories may have changed since launch, so check the portal first. If it is down or your category isn't listed, use a pass section.
DTC Pass Section Near Me: All 40 Locations
DTC runs pass sections at 40 locations across Delhi; 39 are computerized and Jheel works manually. The central office is at Scindia House (phone: +91-11-23737180).
| Bus Pass Centre / Location |
|---|
| Scindia House |
| Kashmere Gate |
| Jamia Millia Islamia Univ. |
| Karol Bagh Terminal |
| Central Secretariat |
| Timarpur |
| Peeragarhi Depot |
| Shadipur Depot |
| Sarojini Nagar Depot |
| Azadpur Terminal |
| Seemapuri Depot-II |
| JNU |
| Hauz Khas Terminal |
| Wazirpur Depot |
| Red Fort |
| Uttam Nagar Terminal |
| Mehrauli Terminal |
| Mangolpuri 'S' Block |
| Delhi Gate |
| Lajpat Nagar |
| Nehru Place |
| DU South Campus |
| Jheel (manual) |
| Hari Nagar Depot-I |
| Najafgarh Terminal |
| Hasanpur Depot |
| Shahdara Terminal (New) |
| Bawana Depot |
| Swami Shraddhanand College, Alipur |
| Raja Garden Terminal |
| Nand Nagri Depot |
| DU North Campus |
| IGI Terminal-2 |
| Dwarka (DWK-2) |
| Kanjhawala |
| Burari |
| Babarpur Terminal |
| Narela Terminal |
| Sultanpuri |
| Rohini Sector-22 Terminal |
University counters (JNU, Jamia, DU North and South Campus) are handy for students. Timings can vary, so call ahead or visit in the morning to avoid queues.
DTC Bus Pass Renewal, Fines and Useful Tips
- Renew on time: renew during the last 3 days before expiry so you never ride without a valid pass.
- Avoid the fine: travelling without a valid ticket or pass attracts a composite fine of ₹200.
- Carry your pass always: conductors and checkers can ask to see it at any time.
- Pick the right type: if you only travel between home and college, a destination pass is enough. If you move around the city, take an all-route pass.
- AC or non-AC: AC passes cost ₹200 more a month for general users. Ask at the counter which buses your pass covers, then choose based on the routes you use most.
- Buy longer validity: quarterly, half-yearly and yearly passes cost less per month.
- Keep your documents ready: get your form attested before you go, so you don't have to make a second trip.
