Overview On 19 February 2026 , PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the DMK government for not revising autorickshaw and taxi fares in Tamil Nadu despite a promise made a year earlier. The last fare revision dated back to August 2013 , when the minimum autorickshaw fare was set at ₹25 for the first 1.8 km and ₹12 per additional kilometre. The stagnation has intensified the financial strain on drivers amid soaring fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs, raising questions of governance, regulatory oversight, and social justice—core themes in the UPSC syllabus. Key Developments Development 1: The DMK government failed to act on its 2025 pledge to revise fares, leaving the 2013 rates unchanged for over a decade. Development 2: Dr. Anbumani highlighted that petrol and diesel prices have nearly doubled since 2013, while spare‑parts, batteries, and service charges have risen two‑ to three‑fold, eroding drivers' earnings. Development 3: The Madras High Court in 2022 ordered the state to constitute an expert committee for fare revision, but the committee has yet to submit its report, indicating administrative inertia. Important Facts Fact 1: Minimum autorickshaw fare (2013) – ₹25 for 1.8 km; ₹12 per km thereafter. Fact 2: Fuel prices have almost doubled and ancillary costs have increased by 200‑300% since the last revision, severely affecting the livelihood of drivers and the economically vulnerable. UPSC Relevance This issue touches upon multiple strands of the UPSC General Studies syllabus. In GS Paper II (Governance) , it illustrates challenges of policy implementation, judicial intervention, and state‑level regulatory mechanisms. GS Paper III (Economics) offers a case study on price elasticity, cost‑push inflation, and the informal transport sector’s contribution to urban economies. The matter also aligns with GS Paper I (Indian Society) by highlighting the socioeconomic impact on marginalised workers. Potential questions could explore the role of state governments in fare regulation, the effectiveness of judicial directives, or the broader implications of stagnant transport tariffs on urban poverty. Way Forward To restore equilibrium, the Tamil Nadu government should promptly convene the expert committee, incorporate real‑time cost indices, and adopt a transparent, periodic fare revision mechanism. Additionally, a differentiated fare structure for intra‑city and inter‑city trips, coupled with subsidies for fuel or insurance, could mitigate driver distress while safeguarding commuter affordability. Such policy recalibration would exemplify responsive governance and align with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).