Why India’s First National Cooperative University Matters

The passage of the bill for India’s first national cooperative university, Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Parliament marks a historic milestone in the journey of the Indian cooperative movement.

- BALASUBRAMANIAN IYER

That this development comes during the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives only adds to its significance. As Union Minister for Cooperation Shri. Amit Shah noted, this university is poised to become a powerful vehicle in realizing the vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi"-Prosperity Through Cooperation.

India is home to the largest cooperative movement in the world, comprising over 800,000 cooperatives and 287 million members. Deeply embedded in the daily lives of people-from roti, kapda, to makan (food, clothing, and shelter) -cooperatives are more than just economic institutions; they represent an expression of community-driven development, economic equity, and social justice. The establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) in 2021 signaled a renewed national commitment to this sector, aimed at expanding its reach, improving its efficiency, and integrating it as a cornerstone of inclusive development.

Ministry of Cooperation has taken commendable steps: allocating ?2,516 crore to computerize 67,390 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), introducing model byelaws adopted in 32 states to enable over 25 business activities, creating 2 lakh new multipurpose cooperatives, supporting 1,100 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and transforming 44,000 PACS into Common Service Centers. Tax incentives, easier access to credit, and decentralized storage solutions are enhancing cooperatives’ operational capacities. The establishment of three new national federations for seeds, exports, and organic products further signal that cooperatives are being positioned as key agents of India's development.