Cooperative Movement in India
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs11
- Articles2
Background
Understanding alternative economic models for inclusive growth, constitutional provisions, role in empowering marginalized sections, addressing market failures, and promoting social justice.
The cooperative movement in India is an alternative economic model based on the principles of self-help and mutual aid, aiming to prevent exploitation, ensure fair practices, and empower members as owners. It has historically played a significant role in various sectors, particularly agriculture and dairy, contributing to rural development and inclusive growth.
Facts & tables
- Principle
- Member-owned, democratically controlled enterprises.
- Objective
- Prevent exploitation, ensure fair returns, provide security and prosperity to members.
- Slogan
- 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation).
- Examples
- Amul (dairy), IFFCO & KRIBHCO (fertilizers), Bharat Taxi (mobility).
- Constitutional Status
- Article 43B (DPSP) promotes voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management of cooperative societies.
- 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011
- Gave constitutional status and protection to cooperative societies.
- Key Principles
- Voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, concern for community.
- Diverse Sectors
- Prominent in agriculture (IFFCO, KRIBHCO), dairy (Amul), banking, housing, and now expanding to services like ride-hailing.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Social Justice & Development |
| Conceptual area | Indian Economy & Development |
| Conceptual area | Indian Economy |
| Conceptual area | Constitutional Amendments & Structure |
| Conceptual area | Directive Principles of State Policy |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Cooperation | Promotes |
| NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) | Finances |
| IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) | Implements |
| Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation) | Implements |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Member-owned, democratic control.
- Aims to prevent exploitation, ensure fair returns.
- Key examples: Amul, IFFCO, KRIBHCO.
- 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' vision.
- New application: mobility sector (Bharat Taxi).
Ministry sets policy; regulator often has quasi-judicial powers.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Terminology-based question, Policy measures |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Purpose or function of a policy tool, Factual recall |
Timeline
-
Social Justice & Development
Conceptual area
-
Indian Economy & Development
Conceptual area
-
Indian Economy
Conceptual area
-
Constitutional Amendments & Structure
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Purpose or function of a policy tool, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Terminology-based question, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question
-
Bharat Taxi launched to end exploitation by cab aggregators: Amit Shah
The cooperative movement is a constitutionally backed, member-driven model promoting economic and social welfare across various sectors in India.
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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today launched Bharat Taxi for Gujarat from Gandhinagar; services begin in all major cities of Gujarat including Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot across two-wheeler, auto and four-wheeler categories
The cooperative movement in India promotes member-owned enterprises to ensure fair practices, prevent exploitation, and foster inclusive growth, exemplified by successes in dairy (Amul) and agriculture (IFFCO), and now extended to mobility (Bharat Taxi) under the 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' vision.
See also
Past papers
2016–2026 · 11 questions
In the news
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today launched Bharat Taxi for Gujarat from Gandhinagar; services begin in all major cities of Gujarat including Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot across two-wheeler, auto and four-wheeler categories
The cooperative movement in India promotes member-owned enterprises to ensure fair practices, prevent exploitation, and foster inclusive growth, exemplified by successes in dairy (Amul) and agriculture (IFFCO), and now extended to mobility (Bharat Taxi) under the 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' vision.
Bharat Taxi launched to end exploitation by cab aggregators: Amit Shah
The cooperative movement is a constitutionally backed, member-driven model promoting economic and social welfare across various sectors in India.
Try these PYQs
Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ?
1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination.
2. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology.
3. The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a public sector organisation set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not-for-profit company to promote entrepreneurship among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 2016, not 2018. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and places a legal obligation on governments to ensure non-discrimination and accessibility. It also mandates reservations for PwDs, such as increasing the quota to 4% in government employment and 5% in higher education. Statement 2 is Correct: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) was launched in 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains: built infrastructure (barrier-free public buildings), transport systems (accessible railways, airports, and roads), and information and communication technology (accessible government websites and digital ecosystems). Statement 3 is Incorrect: The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking registered as a not-for-profit company to provide concessional financial assistance to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment, and higher education among PwDs. However, it was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore, the correct option is B.
‘SWAYAM’, an initative of the Government of India, aims at
Under SWAYAM or Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds programme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, professors and faculties from centrally funded institutions like IITs, IIMs, central universities will offer online courses to citizens of India. SWAYAM is an instrument for self-actualisation providing opportunities for life-long learning. Here, learners can choose from hundreds of courses, virtually every course that is taught at the university/college/school level and these shall be offered by the best of the teachers in India and elsewhere.
With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements:
1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
3. It has seamless portability across the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to provide digital health IDs for all Indian citizens to help hospitals, insurance firms, and citizens access health records electronically when required. Statement 1 is incorrect. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has not made it mandatory for adoption by private and public hospitals. Its adoption so far would be voluntary. Participation in ABDM is voluntary including for citizens. Participation of a healthcare facility or an institution is also voluntary and shall be taken by the respective management (government or private management). Statement 2 is incorrect. The aim of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is to facilitate the ease of access to medical records and it is not been mandated to have every citizen as its part though the facility is available to every citizen on a consent basis. Statement 3 is correct. ABDM will have a national footprint and will enable seamless portability across the country through a Health ID Personal Health Identifier.
Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ?
1. The period of its implementation is 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2026.
2. The key objective of the Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
3. The share of the Central funding for the Revamped RGSA is 100% for all States and Union Territories.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for implementation from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2026 (co-terminus with the 15th Finance Commission period), not from 1st April 2021. Statement 2 is Correct: The primary objective of the revamped scheme is to develop and enhance the governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) so they can effectively deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It focuses on the localization of SDGs at the grassroots level through inclusive local governance. Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Revamped RGSA is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, meaning the funding is shared between the Centre and the States. It is not 100% centrally funded for all States and UTs. The sharing pattern is 60:40 (Centre:State) for general category States, and 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Hilly States, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. 100% Central funding applies only to other Union Territories and specific Central components of the scheme. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I :India's public sector health care system largely focuses on curative care with limited preventive, promotive and rehabilitative care.
Statement-II: Under India's decentralized approach to health care delivery, the States are primarily responsible for organizing health services.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement I is correct: India's public healthcare system prioritises curative care, which focuses on treating existing illnesses. Preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative care, which aims to prevent diseases, promote good health, and help people recover from illness, receive less emphasis. * Statement II is correct: India's healthcare system follows a decentralised approach. The central government sets policies and provides financial assistance, but individual states are responsible for organising and delivering health services to their populations. This allows for flexibility based on local needs and contexts.
Therefore, the answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
Show 6 more PYQs
With reference to ‘National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)’, which of the statements given below is/are correct?
1. Under NSQF, a learner can acquire the certification for competency only through formal learning.
2. An outcome expected from the implementation of NSQF is the mobility between vocational and general education.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is incorrect. Learners can acquire competency certification through various learning methods under NSQF, not just formal learning. This includes. - Formal learning (schools, colleges, training institutions) - Non-formal learning (workshops, skill development programs) - Informal learning (on-the-job experience, self-learning) Statement 2 is correct. One of the key objectives of NSQF is to promote mobility between vocational and general education. The framework establishes a common standard for skills, making it easier for individuals with vocational qualifications to pursue further education or vice versa. This can create a more flexible and inclusive education system.
Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his voice based on the principles of public administration which he learnt during various training programmes attended across his career. He reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare.
Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X's actions?
Accountability is the obligation of public officials to take responsibility for their actions, ensure transparency, and answer to oversight bodies (such as vigilance authorities). It involves actively protecting the public interest, reporting misconduct, and ensuring that private contractors utilizing public funds adhere to strict quality and ethical standards. By reporting the compromised vaccine distribution to the vigilance authority and halting the contract despite immense pressure, Mr. X demonstrated a high degree of accountability towards citizen welfare. Esprit de corps is a classical management principle that emphasizes building team spirit, unity, harmony, and mutual trust among personnel within an organization. It is not the primary principle demonstrated in this scenario. Equity refers to the principle of fairness, justice, and impartiality in administration, ensuring that public services and resources are distributed without bias. While his actions were just, the specific act of reporting to vigilance and taking responsibility highlights accountability rather than equity. Delegation is the administrative process of transferring authority and responsibility for specific tasks from a superior to a subordinate or a third-party service provider. Mr. X's actions were about holding the delegated party accountable, not the act of delegation itself. Therefore, the correct option is C.
With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements
1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is responsible for PMKVY, not the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Statement 2 is Correct. PMKVY goes beyond technical skills training and incorporates soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital literacy to make participants more employable. Statement 3 is Correct. A core objective of PMKVY is to bridge the gap between the skills of the unregulated workforce and industry requirements by aligning them with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). This standardization helps ensure a minimum level of competency and improves employment opportunities.
Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana:
1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM). It is a central intervention implemented by states, not an intervention of the State Health Departments. Statement 2 is correct: The primary objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by encouraging safe, institutional births. Statement 3 is correct: The scheme provides a cash incentive to mothers to promote institutional delivery, particularly among those from BPL, SC, and ST households. Statement 4 is incorrect: While care for sick infants is a priority under the National Health Mission, the provision of free facilities for sick infants up to one year of age is specifically a feature of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) launched in 2011. JSY, launched in 2005, is primarily a conditional cash transfer scheme for delivery.
Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’:
1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. The National Career Service is not an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. It is actually implemented by the Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour & Employment. Statement 2 is incorrect. The National Career Service has indeed been launched in a Mission Mode, but it is not specifically targeted at improving the employment opportunities for uneducated youth of the country. It is a comprehensive platform providing a wide array of employment and career related services to all citizens of India, aiming to bridge the gap between jobseekers and employers, candidates seeking training and career guidance, and agencies providing training and career counselling.
What is the purpose of ‘Vidyanjali Yojana’?
1. To enable the famous foreign educational institutions to open their campuses in India.
2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.
3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is incorrect. Vidyanjali Yojana is not focused on attracting foreign universities to set up campuses in India. Statement 2 is correct. Vidyanjali Yojana aims to improve government schools by leveraging resources and expertise from the private sector (retired professionals, NGOs) and the community (volunteers). Statement 3 is incorrect. While the initiative might indirectly lead to improved infrastructure due to volunteer efforts, its primary focus is not on monetary contributions for infrastructure development.