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…
