NATIONAL – DAIRY OF EVENTS

Ministry of Cooperation – 5th Foundation Day (6 July 2026)

• Context : The Ministry of Cooperation celebrated its 5th Foundation Day on 6 July 2026, announcing major digital and infrastructure initiatives to strengthen the cooperative sector.
• India’s cooperative movement is guided by “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation), promoting inclusive and community-based development.

Current Status of Cooperatives in India

• • Largest Cooperative Network: India has 8.5 lakh+ cooperatives with around 32 crore members, operating in 30 sectors and covering 98% of rural India.
  • Rural Economy Support: Cooperatives provide credit, marketing, storage, livelihoods and essential services to farmers, dairy producers, fishers, artisans and workers.
  • Women Empowerment: Nearly 10 crore women are connected through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) linked with cooperatives.

• Village-Level Reach:

• • PACS: Present in 2.55 lakh+ Gram Panchayats.
  • Dairy Cooperatives: Cover 87,159 Gram Panchayats.
  • Fisheries Cooperatives: Cover 29,964 Gram Panchayats.

• Diversification: Cooperatives now work in retail, storage, healthcare, fuel, digital services, dairy, fisheries, exports, organics, seeds and mobility, besides rural credit.
• Role in Viksit Bharat: Cooperatives are emerging as drivers of rural prosperity, women empowerment, food security and inclusive growth.

Major Cooperative Initiatives

• Ministry of Cooperation: Established on 6 July 2021 to make cooperatives transparent, inclusive, digital and future-ready.
• 5th Foundation Day Launches:
  • Conversion of 50,000 PACS into e-PACS.
  • Foundation stones for 47 grain storage godowns.
  • Launch of Milk Supply Review Dashboard for NDDB.

• • PACS Reforms: Model bye-laws adopted in 32 States/UTs, allowing 25+ business activities, including retail, storage, healthcare, fuel and digital services.

• PACS as Rural Service Centres (June 2026):

• • 39,177 functioning as PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras.
  • 54,117 operating as Common Service Centres (CSCs).
  • 394 applied for fuel outlets; 3 commissioned.
  • 4,248 approved for Jan Aushadhi Kendras; 843 ready for operation.

• • Expansion of Cooperatives: 37,454 new multipurpose PACS, dairy and fisheries cooperatives registered.
  • Decentralised Grain Storage: 145 PACS godowns completed, creating 68,702 MT storage capacity.

• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs):

• • 1,863 cooperative FPOs formed.
  • Includes 1,117 through PACS and 1,070 fisheries FPOs.
  • ₹98 crore disbursed.

• White Revolution 2.0:

• • Target: 50% increase in milk procurement by 2028–29.
  • 25,282 dairy cooperatives registered with emphasis on women-led societies.

• New National Cooperative Institutions:

• • National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)
  • National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL)
  • Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)

• Education & Training:

• • Tribhuvan Sahkari University established as India’s first cooperative university.
  • Capacity building through NCCT and NABARD.

• Bharat Taxi:

• • India’s first cooperative-based taxi platform under Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd.
  • 6.37 lakh drivers and 35.77 lakh customers registered.
  • Operational in Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Jaipur and Kanpur; expansion planned to Ranchi, Patna, Guwahati, Bhopal, Kolkata, Indore and Nagpur.

Constitutional Status of Cooperatives (97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011)

• The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 granted constitutional recognition to cooperative societies by introducing important constitutional provisions.
• Article 19(1)(c): Guarantees citizens the Fundamental Right to form cooperative societies
• Article 43B (DPSP): Directs the State to encourage and promote voluntary, autonomous and democratic cooperative societies.
• Part IXB (Articles 243ZH–243ZT): Provides the constitutional framework for the management, regulation and governance of cooperative societies.

 

India handmade

• Context: India’s handloom and handicraft sector is expanding its presence in the digital economy through the Indiahandmade platform.

About India handmade

• Indiahandmade is a government-supported online marketplace for selling handloom and handicraft products.

• It was developed by the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Textiles and launched in 2023.

• The platform promotes India’s traditional and heritage crafts in the online market.
• Its main objective is to help handloom weavers and handicraft artisans sell their products directly online, improving their income and social empowerment.

Key Features

• • Allows artisans and weavers to sell directly to customers, reducing the role of middlemen and ensuring better earnings.
  • Provides digital tools and online visibility to help sellers grow in e-commerce.

• Offers a wide range of handmade products such as clothing, home décor, furnishings, paintings, furniture, religious items, stationery, musical instruments, jewellery, bags and footwear.

• • Includes separate sections for GI-tagged products and One District One Product (ODOP) items to promote regional crafts.
  • Buyers receive free shipping, secure payment options, purchase protection and customer support.

• This makes online selling easier for small artisans and first-time sellers.

• The platform also shares the success stories of artisans, helping preserve and promote India’s traditional crafts through digital commerce.

 

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967

• Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared 23 more individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).

About UAPA, 1967

• Enacted: 1967.

• Purpose: India’s main anti-terrorism law, aimed at preventing unlawful activities and terrorism that threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of India.
• Terrorist Designation: The Central Government can declare both organisations and individuals as terrorists.
• Individuals as Terrorists: This power was added through the UAPA (Amendment) Act, 2019, by inserting the Fourth Schedule.
• Section 35: Authorises the Central Government to add or remove names from the list of terrorists.
• Investigation: Cases are mainly investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
• Detention: An accused can be kept in custody for up to 180 days without filing a chargesheet in specified cases.

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• Established under: National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
• Reason for Creation: Set up after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
• Nature: India’s premier counter-terrorism investigation agency.
• Role: Investigates offences related to terrorism, national security, sovereignty, integrity of India and obligations under international treaties.
• NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019: Gave the NIA power to investigate scheduled offences committed outside India if they involve Indian citizens or Indian interests.
• Expanded Jurisdiction: Covers offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, Arms Act, 1959, human trafficking, and cyber terrorism.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Special Courts: There are 52 NIA Special Courts, including 3 Exclusive NIA Courts located in Ranchi, Jammu and Mumbai.

 

Antariksh Venture Capital Fund

• Context: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology announced that the Antariksh Venture Capital Fund is progressing well, and investments in selected space startups are expected to begin from the first quarter of FY 2027.

About Antariksh Venture Capital Fund

• It is a closed-ended fund registered with SEBI as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).

• • It is a SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Fund.

• Key Investor: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) under the Department of Space (DoS).

• • Sponsor: SIDBI Venture Capital Limited.
  • Objective: To provide financial support to space companies at different stages of growth, helping them expand operations, commercialise new technologies, and strengthen India’s space sector.

• The fund will invest only in Indian space companies with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or above.

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)

• IN-SPACe is an independent, single-window nodal agency functioning as an autonomous body under the Department of Space (DoS).

• It was established after space sector reforms to encourage private sector participation in space activities.

Functions of IN-SPACe

• Promotes, authorises, enables and supervises space activities carried out by Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).

• Facilitates private companies in building launch vehicles, satellites and providing space-based services.
• Allows sharing of ISRO/DoS space infrastructure and facilities with private players.
• Supports the creation of new space infrastructure in the country.
• Acts as a link between ISRO and private space companies, ensuring better use of India’s space resources and expanding space-related activities.

 

National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML)

• Context: The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways recently reviewed the progress of major infrastructure projects being implemented by National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML).

About NHLML

• National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), earlier known as Cochin Port Road Company Limited, is a 100% owned subsidiary of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

• It was established under the guidance of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

• NHLML is responsible for improving transport logistics, infrastructure development and asset monetisation across the country.

Major Areas of Work

• Developing 35 Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) to improve freight movement.
• Constructing ropeways for better transport and tourism connectivity.
• Laying Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) networks along highways.
• Setting up Wayside Amenities for travellers.
• Improving road connectivity to ports.
• Developing warehousing and logistics zones.
• Upgrading passenger transport terminal infrastructure.
• Promoting solar power projects on highways.
• Developing other supporting transport and logistics infrastructure.