Ministry has not identified any legal or regulatory gaps in the Cooperative Societies Acts of States/UTs that may require amendments for achieving the objectives of the National Cooperative Policy, 2025.

As and when the States/UTs are ready for integration of the State-level Cooperative Database with National Cooperative Database (NCD), the necessary technical supports are being provided to them.

The Ministry of Cooperation developed a standard API for States to fetch cooperative societies data from the NCD portal and shared the Standard API Specification Document and database schema on 27.05.2025. Push APIs were subsequently developed for live, event-driven data pushing from RCS applications to the NCD Portal, and all related documents and SOPs were shared with State on 22.09.2025. An advisory with comprehensive check lists for completion of RCS computerization and API integration was also issued on 14.11.2025. Rajasthan has already completed API integration with NCD portal. As per the integration plan, States/UTs must ensure development of reverse/pull API and complete RCS computerization for successful two-way integration and synchronization of cooperative data.

The Following steps have been taken to ensure greater participation of women, youth, Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes and vulnerable sections in the Cooperative sector-

1. The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) (Amendment) Act & Rules, 2023 have been notified on 03.08.2023 and 04.08.2023, respectively to strengthen governance, enhance transparency, increase accountability and reform electoral process, etc.in the Multi State Cooperative Societies by supplementing existing legislation and incorporating the provisions of Ninety-seventh Constitutional Amendment.

To increase the representation of Women and Scheduled Castes/Tribes in the boards of Multi-State Co-operative societies, provision for reservation of two seats for women and one seat for SC or ST in the Board of multi-State cooperative societies have been made.

2. Provisions have also been made to make the membership of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) more inclusive and broad-based, giving adequate representation to women and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. So far, 32 States/ UTs have adopted Model Bye-laws or their existing bye-laws are in line with Model Bye-laws.
3. National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is taking multiple steps to enhance the participation of women, youth, Scheduled Castes/Tribes and other vulnerable sections in the cooperative sector, which are detailed as under:

 

1. NCDC operates dedicated schemes such as Nandini Sahakar, Swayam Shakti Sahakar, Ayushman Sahakar and Yuva Sahakar, which provide concessional finance, interest subvention and start-up support to women-led, youth-led, SC/ST and innovative cooperatives. The details are as under
2. During 2024-25, assistance of ₹1,355.61 crore was disbursed to women cooperatives benefiting over 41 lakh women members. Cumulatively as on 31.03.2025, NCDC has disbursed financial assistance of ₹7,781.97 crore for the development of cooperative societies exclusively promoted by women.
3. Schemes for SC/ST cooperatives provide support for marketing, working capital and infrastructure creation, during FY 2024-25, an amount of ₹0.18 crore was disbursed to SC cooperatives and ₹29.63 crore to ST cooperatives. As on 31.03.2025, cumulative disbursements of ₹323.52 crore for SC cooperatives and ₹5308.02 crore for ST cooperatives.

Further, NCDC supports weaker section cooperatives in fisheries, livestock, handloom, sericulture and labour sectors, benefiting lakhs of members which includes SC, ST, Women members. NCDC has introduced sector-specific schemes and focused products to align with the evolving needs of the cooperative sector, with special emphasis on women empowerment, digitization of cooperatives, and rural healthcare.

This information was given by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

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AK

 

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