Amit Shah Unveils National Cooperative Policy 2025 in New Delhi to Boost Rural Economy and Inclusive Growth.

On 24 July 2025, Union Home and Co‑operation Minister Amit Shah officially launched the National Cooperative Policy 2025 at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi. Developed by a 48‑member national committee chaired by former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, the policy sets a 20‑year roadmap (2025–45) to modernise India’s cooperative sector and support the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” and Viksit Bharat 2047.

      - The new policy replaces the previous one framed in 2002, updating its framework to meet the demands of globalisation, technological advancements, and India’s evolving economic landscape. It aims to rejuvenate cooperative institutions, making them more inclusive, professional, transparent, and future-ready, supporting livelihoods across rural and urban India.

      - Drafted over 17 meetings and four regional workshops in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Patna, the committee incorporated 648 stakeholder suggestions from cooperatives, academia, government bodies like NABARD, RBI, and state governments.

      - The policy emphasises six strategic pillars: strengthening foundations; promoting vibrancy; preparing for future disruptions; expanding inclusivity and reach; entering new sectors like taxi services, tourism, insurance, real estate, and green energy; and engaging youth in cooperative development.

Main Point :-   (i) One key goal is to establish at least one cooperative institution in every village, with a target to set up 2 lakh new multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) by 2029. States are directed to draft their own cooperative policies by 31 January 2026.

      (ii) The launch event was attended by dignitaries including Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Secretary of Ministry of Cooperation Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, and former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu. Also present were heads of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT), and Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM).

(iii) If successfully implemented, the policy could triple the cooperative sector’s GDP contribution by 2034, expand economic activity in rural India, and empower women, youth, and marginalized communities through employment, financial inclusion, and local ownership. It aims to transform cooperatives into drivers of equitable and sustainable growth.