Social IssuesPremium
Cooperative Movement in India: Types, Reforms, and Challenges
July 19, 20266 min read
Introduction
Cooperatives are voluntary, autonomous organisations formed by people to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs through a jointly-owned enterprise. India has a long and rich cooperative history - the movement began in 1904 with the Cooperative Credit Societies Act. Today, India has over 8.5 lakh cooperative societies covering 290+ million members, making it the largest cooperative movement in the world. The Ministry of Cooperation was created in 2021, signalling the government's renewed focus on strengthening the cooperative sector.
History of Cooperatives in India
| Period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1904 | Cooperative Credit Societies Act |
| 1912 | Maclagan Committee - expansion to non-credit societies |
| 1919 | Cooperatives made a provincial subject (Government of India Act) |
| 1945 | Cooperative Planning Committee (Saraiya) |
| 1950s | Community Development Programme integrated cooperatives |
| 1965 | National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) Act |
| 1984 | Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act |
| 2002 | Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act (amended) |
This note is temporarily free
UPSC Margin is open for 3 months. All notes, full-length mock tests, and daily current affairs are free during this window.
Monthly
₹299
per month
SAVE 44%
Yearly
₹1,999
per year
No account? Create one free
✓ All 82+ notes free✓ 16+ mock tests✓ Weekly digests