Cooperative Sector in India
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Significant contributor to rural economy, poverty alleviation, financial inclusion, and social empowerment. Its governance, challenges, and potential for growth are important for understanding India's socio-economic development.
The cooperative sector in India comprises voluntary associations of individuals working together for common economic, social, and cultural needs, playing a crucial role in agriculture, banking, housing, and consumer goods, promoting inclusive growth and self-reliance, especially in rural areas.
Facts & tables
- Scale
- Over 8.5 lakh cooperative societies across 30 economic sectors, with approximately 30 crore members.
- Policy Framework
- National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025 provides a roadmap for holistic development with 6 strategic pillars and 16 objectives.
- Institutional Support
- Ministry of Cooperation established to strengthen the sector, overseeing policy implementation and monitoring.
- Data Infrastructure
- National Cooperative Database (NCD) provides single-point access to information, aiding policy formulation and implementation.
| Institution | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Cooperation | Policy formulation, promotion, and development |
| NABARD | Refinance for rural cooperatives |
| NCDC | Planning and promoting cooperative programs |
| NDDB | Promoting dairy cooperatives |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Economy |
| Conceptual area | Social Justice |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Cooperation | Governs |
| NABARD | Finances |
| NCDC | Develops |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- Voluntary associations for common needs.
- Crucial for rural economy, agriculture, banking.
- NCP 2025 provides development roadmap.
- Ministry of Cooperation oversees the sector.
- Promotes inclusive growth and self-reliance.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool |
| 2024 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Terminology-based question, Policy measures |
| 2014 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Indian Economy
Conceptual area
-
Social Justice
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2017
Terminology-based question, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool
-
Prelims 2026
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Review of National Cooperation Policy, 2025
India's cooperative sector, with millions of members, is vital for inclusive growth, especially in rural areas, supported by policies like NCP 2025 and institutions like the Ministry of Cooperation.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2014–2026 · 7 questions
In the news
Review of National Cooperation Policy, 2025
India's cooperative sector, with millions of members, is vital for inclusive growth, especially in rural areas, supported by policies like NCP 2025 and institutions like the Ministry of Cooperation.
Try these PYQs
Programme/ Project Ministry
1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture
2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests
3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas: Ministry of Rural Development
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is not correct: The drought prone area programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. This programme aims to mitigate the impacts of droughts on crop production, livestock, land and water resources. Pair 2 is not correct: The Desert Development Programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. The basic objective of the Desert Development Programme is to minimise negative effect of drought and control desertification. Pair 3 is not correct: The national watershed project for rainfed areas implemented by Ministry of Agriculture is an umbrella scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana.
Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called:
Operation Sadbhavana is a unique initiative undertaken by the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East regions. It focuses on winning the hearts and minds of the local population through various developmental activities and assistance. This includes providing education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and promoting skill development initiatives. _Let's look at the other options:_ * Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy to ensure maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. * Operation Maitri refers to the Indian Armed Forces' humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to assist friendly countries. A notable example was the aid provided to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake. * Operation Madad is the Indian Navy's effort to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during natural calamities, both within India and to neighboring countries.
Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
✅ Statement I: Correct
*RGM aims to conserve indigenous breeds, benefiting small farmers and landless labourers by improving animal productivity.* ✅ Statement II: Correct
*Launched in December 2014, the mission promotes scientific breeding, genetic upgradation, and conservation of indigenous breeds.* Correct Answer: (C) Both Statements I and II are correct.
Consider the following statements :
1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.
2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.
3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial banks support SHGs.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: NABARD began promoting self-help groups in 1991-1992. And it served as the actual launch pad for the SHG movement. The Reserve Bank of India additionally permitted SHGs to open savings bank accounts in 1993. * Statement 2 is correct: The Banks provide the loan to the Self-Help Group as a whole and it is the collective responsibility of the SHG to repay that loan. Hence all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes. Further, the SHG may decide to not provide any share in further loans to the defaulter member. * Statement 3 is correct: The Financial Inclusion Fund scheme to support Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) for enabling Dual Authentication options in the micro ATMs for SHG transactions is being launched to provide an enabling eco-system for the SHGs to seamlessly operate at Business Correspondent points with the proposed Dual Authentication feature. Thus, it can be said that SCBs and RRBs support the SHGs in availing the credits as per their needs.
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.
Show 3 more PYQs
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.
Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) :
1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology.
2. MPI calculated by NITI Aayog has a total of twelve indicators.
3. Maternal Health and Bank Account are common indicators in the MPI of NITI Aayog and MPI of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Statement 1 is Correct: Both the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and India's National MPI are calculated using the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology. This method measures acute poverty by counting the overlapping deprivations that individuals experience simultaneously. Statement 2 is Correct: India's National MPI, calculated by NITI Aayog, consists of 12 indicators. It retains the 10 standard indicators from the Global MPI and adds two new ones to better reflect India's specific development priorities. Statement 3 is Incorrect: The two additional indicators in the National MPI are Maternal Health (added to the Health dimension) and Bank Account (added to the Standard of Living dimension). Therefore, these two are exclusive to NITI Aayog's National MPI and are not present in the UNDP's Global MPI, which only has 10 indicators. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
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.