Key takeaways

  • The One Pune Card is a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) issued by HDFC Bank in partnership with Maha Metro (Pune Metro Rail Project).
  • Cardholders receive a guaranteed 10% fare discount on all Pune Metro rides on weekdays, and up to a 30% discount on weekends and for registered students.
  • Physical cards can be purchased across customer care counters at major stations (Swargate, Civil Court, PCMC, Vanaz, Pune Railway Station) for a one-time fee of ₹150 + GST.
  • As a standardized RuPay NCMC prepaid card, the One Pune Card works seamlessly across Mumbai Metro, BEST buses, Delhi Metro, and transit gates nationwide.

The operational expansion of the Pune Metro Rail network—connecting the industrial hub of Pimpri-Chinchwad (PCMC) to the central heart of Swargate and stretching across the Vanaz to Ramwadi corridor—has transformed urban mobility across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. To provide a seamless, queue-free ticketing experience, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro) partnered with HDFC Bank to introduce the One Pune Card.

Operating on India's indigenous National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) standard powered by RuPay, the One Pune Card serves as a unified contactless smart card for daily commuters. Whether you travel daily between Deccan Gymkhana, Civil Court, Pune Station, or Hinjawadi, here is your complete 2026 guide explaining where to get the card, how to top up online, and how to unlock maximum travel discounts.

1. What Is the One Pune NCMC Card?

The One Pune Card is an open-loop, contactless prepaid transit card issued under the Government of India's "One Nation, One Card" initiative. Unlike legacy closed-loop metro smart cards that functioned only on a single city's turnstiles, the One Pune Card features a dual-chip architecture:

  • Offline Transit Wallet (Chip Balance): Dedicated for instant, sub-second tap-and-go validation at automatic fare collection (AFC) gates on metro systems and municipal buses.
  • Online Retail Wallet: Operates like a standard RuPay prepaid debit card, allowing cardholders to make online payments, scan merchant QR codes, and pay at retail store POS terminals.
FeatureOne Pune NCMC Card Specifications
Issuing Bank PartnerHDFC Bank in collaboration with Maha Metro
Payment NetworkRuPay NCMC (Contactless EMV)
Card Issuance Fee₹150 + 18% GST (Total ₹177.00)
Minimum Initial Top-Up₹100 (Credited fully to transit chip balance)
Standard Fare Discount10% Discount on all Pune Metro trips
Weekend Fare DiscountUp to 30% Discount on Saturdays & Sundays
Student Pass Discount30% Concessional Discount for school/college students

2. Where and How to Get a One Pune Card in Pune

Acquiring a One Pune Card is a simple, 5-minute counter process available across all operational Pune Metro stations:

Designated Major Purchase Stations:

  • Purple Line (Line 1): PCMC Station, Bhosari, Khadki, Shivajinagar, Civil Court Interchange, Swargate Station.
  • Aqua Line (Line 2): Vanaz, Anand Nagar, Nal Stop, Garware College, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune Railway Station, Ruby Hall Clinic, Ramwadi.

Step-by-Step Counter Procedure:

  1. Walk up to the Customer Care / Ticketing Counter at any operational Pune Metro station.
  2. Request a "One Pune NCMC Card" from the station staff.
  3. Provide your active mobile number and an authorized government photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Voter ID) for basic digital KYC verification.
  4. Pay the issuance fee (₹150 + GST) and your chosen initial top-up amount (minimum ₹100) using UPI, debit card, or cash.
  5. The station agent links the physical card to your mobile profile, and your card is instantly activated for travel.

3. Fare Discounts: Why Regular Commuters Must Hold One

If you commute on Pune Metro even twice a week, using a One Pune Card generates substantial recurring savings compared to buying single-journey paper QR tickets:

  • 10% Daily Discount: Every trip tapped using the One Pune Card automatically deducts 10% less than the standard token/QR fare at the exit AFC gate.
  • 30% Weekend Family Savings: Maha Metro offers a generous 30% discount on regular passenger fares during weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), making family leisure trips across Pune significantly cheaper.
  • 30% Vidyarthi Pass (Student Concession): Bona fide students aged up to graduate level (carrying valid school/college identity proof) can register their One Pune Card under the "Vidyarthi Concession Scheme" to enjoy a flat 30% discount on every journey.

4. How to Recharge and Check Balance Online

To avoid standing in ticketing queues, cardholders can manage their card balance digitally:

  1. Via Pune Metro Official Mobile App: Download the Pune Metro App (iOS/Android) > Navigate to NCMC Card Services > Enter your 16-digit card number > Select top-up amount > Pay via UPI or credit card.
  2. Via HDFC Bank NCMC Portal: Log into HDFC Bank’s prepaid card portal using your registered mobile number to view transaction logs and top up funds.
  3. Crucial Step — The Balance Update Machine (TOM / AVM): In compliance with NCMC security protocols, when you recharge a transit card online, the funds are credited to the cloud ledger. Before tapping at the metro gate, you must tap your card once on the Ticket Reader / Add Value Machine (AVM) located beside the station customer care counter to flash the new balance onto your physical card chip.

5. Nationwide Interoperability: Where Else Does It Work?

Because the One Pune Card adheres strictly to the national RuPay NCMC standard, it is not locked to Pune. You can carry your One Pune Card in your wallet and use it across India:

  • Mumbai Metro: Works on all turnstiles across Mumbai Metro Line 2A & 7 (Dahisar to Andheri) and Line 3 (Aqua Line).
  • Mumbai BEST Buses: Tap to pay for conductor bus tickets across the Greater Mumbai municipal bus fleet.
  • Delhi Metro (DMRC): Tap and go across all lines of the Delhi Metro, including the Airport Express Line.
  • National Toll Plazas: Accepted at NCMC-enabled highway FASTag/card toll lanes across Indian highways.

FAQs

Where can I buy a One Pune NCMC card in Pune?

You can buy the One Pune Card at the customer care or ticketing counters of any operational Pune Metro station, including Swargate, Civil Court, PCMC, Vanaz, Deccan Gymkhana, and Pune Railway Station.

What discount do I get on Pune Metro with the One Pune Card?

Commuters receive an automatic 10% discount on all weekday rides, up to 30% discount on weekends, and a special 30% concessional discount for verified students.

Can I use the One Pune Card in Mumbai Metro or BEST buses?

Yes. As a certified RuPay National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), the One Pune Card works seamlessly across Mumbai Metro gates, BEST buses, Delhi Metro, and all NCMC-enabled transit systems across India.

Sources

About the author

Deepak

Founder & Editor, CardPicker

Deepak founded CardPicker and writes and fact-checks its credit card guides, comparisons and news.

✓ Fact-checked 14 October 2026Prices, dates and card terms in this article were checked against issuer websites, official pages and news reports listed under Sources. Card figures come from our database, which is re-verified regularly. Offers change often, so confirm on the issuer's site before you buy or apply. Spotted an error? Tell us.