Frequently Asked Questions

The principles include voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training, and information, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for the community.

A cooperative society is member-owned and democratically controlled, focusing on mutual benefit, whereas a private company is investor-owned and profit-driven.

There are six types of cooperative societies in India, i.e., consumer cooperatives, producer cooperatives, marketing cooperatives, housing cooperatives, credit cooperatives, and worker cooperatives.

It is legislation enacted by the government to regulate the formation, management, and functioning of cooperative societies in India. All the States/UTs in India have their separate Cooperative Societies Acts/Rules and Byelaws to manage the Cooperatives in their respective States/UTs.

In India, the minimum number of members required to form a cooperative society is ten.

The cooperative societies are governed by a managing committee elected by the members.

Members benefit from shared resources, collective bargaining, and mutual support.

Yes, cooperatives receive support through various schemes and programs from the central and state governments.

Financial sources for cooperative societies include member contributions, loans from financial institutions, government grants, and income from their products/services & other operations.

Profits are distributed among members based on their contribution or participation in the cooperative.

A cooperative bank is a financial entity owned and operated by its members, providing banking services primarily to rural and agricultural sectors.

The Registrar oversees the registration, supervision, and regulation of cooperative societies within a state or union territory.

A cooperative society ensures transparency and accountability through regular audits, member meetings, and adherence to statutory requirements.

Yes, as long as the activities align with the society’s objectives and benefit its members.

A socio-economic movement aimed at promoting cooperatives to improve the economic conditions of the poor and marginalized sections.

It began in the early 20th century with the enactment of the Cooperative Credit Societies Act in 1904.

A global organization representing cooperatives worldwide, promoting the cooperative movement’s principles and values.

Members can vote in elections, attend general meetings, and serve on committees. (Question Specific to the National Cooperative Database).

It is a comprehensive database that collects and maintains detailed information about all cooperative societies in India.

The database aims to streamline information, improve transparency, and facilitate better policy-making and support for cooperatives.

National Cooperative Database is managed by the Ministry of Cooperation in collaboration with state cooperative departments. The NCD portal is being managed by the NCD Project Management Unit.

Information includes details of cooperative societies’ registration, membership, financial status, activities, and governance.

The National Cooperative Database provides information on 29 sectors of cooperative societies. All 8.0+ lakh cooperatives are mapped into these 29 sectors.

Data is typically updated on daily basis by all the District Nodal officers of all the States/UTs.

Benefits include easier access to government schemes, improved visibility, and better networking opportunities.

Yes, but access to detailed information may be restricted to authorized personnel to protect privacy.

It provides accurate and comprehensive data that helps in analyzing trends, identifying issues, and formulating effective policies.

The database uses advanced encryption, secure login procedures, and regular audits to ensure data security.

Societies can update their information through the online portal or by submitting the necessary documents to the registrar.

The society may face penalties, and its access to government support and schemes could be restricted.

Yes, societies can view and manage their data using secure login credentials.

No, registration is free of charge.

 By providing a centralized and accessible platform for information, it reduces discrepancies and enhances accountability.

Reports on membership, financial performance, geographical distribution, and sectoral activities can be generated from the National Cooperative Database.

It includes data on training needs and programs, facilitating targeted educational initiatives.

Yes, by providing accurate records and facilitating communication, it can aid in resolving disputes.

To ensure the accuracy of the information, regular audits, verification processes, and updates submitted by the societies are conducted.

 Yes, technical support is available through the online portal and regional offices.

They assist in data collection, verification, and updating information for cooperatives within their jurisdiction.

The National Cooperative Database can aid in the digital transformation of cooperatives by providing a digital platform for registration, data management, and accessing government services.

National Cooperative Database can be accessed through standard web browsers, and no special software is required.

 Yes, the online platform is accessible nationwide, and local cooperative offices provide support, making it easier for remote areas to register and update their information.

 Future plans include enhancing features, integrating more data analytics tools, and improving user accessibility.

By digitizing cooperative data and services, it aligns with the broader goal of making governance more efficient and transparent.

It has improved data accuracy, policy-making, and the overall efficiency of the cooperative sector.

 Feedback can be provided through the official portal, helplines, or by contacting the Ministry of Cooperation directly.

• State Nodal Officer
• District Nodal Office
• DEO
• DCCB
• StCB
• SCARDB
• PCARDB

To find a cooperative society, the user needs to log in to the portal and navigate to "Analytical Reports," then select "All Registrations." Once there, you can utilize the various filters provided. Enter the society name or registration number if known. Narrow down your search by selecting the primary activity, sector of operation, and functional status. Additionally, you can filter by location, state/UT, district, audit status, and the current status of the society. After entering the desired criteria, click the "Search" button to view the results. If you need to start over, use the "Reset" button to clear all filters.

· Functional cooperatives are registered with the relevant registration authority, engage in business activities, and regularly provide statutory audits and annual reports.

· A non-functional cooperative society refers to one that is no longer active or operational, often due to reasons such as financial difficulties, management issues, lack of member participation, or failure to achieve its objectives.

· An under liquidation cooperative society is in the process of being formally dissolved, with its assets being distributed. Liquidation typically occurs when a cooperative is financially insolvent, unable to meet its objectives, or for other reasons that render it non-functional.

Year of Registration refers to the specific year when a cooperative society is officially registered with the relevant registration authority.   

In the States, Cooperative societies are either registered with Registrar of Cooperative Societies Offices (RCS) or Functional Registrar Offices. All those registrars who do not fall in the jurisdiction of State Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) are known as Functional Registrars. The functional Registrars mainly register cooperatives of a particular sector.

Area of Operation of particular cooperatives may be defined as the geographical region from which the cooperative society having their members.

The State Nodal Officer is a designated official within a state government or organization who acts as the primary point of contact and coordinator for a specific program, initiative, or project at the state level. They are responsible for overseeing the implementation, coordination, and management of the program within the state jurisdiction.

Acting as the primary liaison between the central coordinating authority and various stakeholders at the state level. Coordinating with district-level officials and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the program. Providing guidance, support, and supervision to district-level officers and other personnel involved in the program. Monitoring and evaluating the progress of the program within the state.

The District Nodal Officer is a designated official within a specific district or locality who is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the implementation of a particular program or initiative at the district level.

Serving as the primary point of contact and coordinator for the program within the district, collaborating with various stakeholders, including local government officials, community leaders, and NGOs, to ensure effective implementation of the program. Supervising and monitoring the activities of field-level staff and volunteers involved in the program, and facilitating training and capacity-building initiatives for stakeholders at the district level.

The user first needs to log in to their account using their existing credentials, such as username/email and password.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a feature that allows users to visualize, analyze, and interpret spatial and geographic data sector-wise, state-wise, District-wise and Block-wise data. In the GIS map we are showing coverage of Gram Panchayat under PACS, Fishery and Dairy.

Multi-State Cooperatives, also known as Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS), are cooperative organizations that operate across multiple states within a country. These cooperatives are formed with the objective of promoting the economic and social interests of their members, who can include individuals, businesses, or other cooperatives.

A National Federation, in the context of cooperatives or other organizations, refers to an umbrella organization or federation that represents and serves the interests of cooperatives operating at the national level within a country.

 A State's Federation, in the context of cooperatives, refers to an umbrella organization or federation that represents and serves the interests of cooperatives operating within a specific state or province within a country.

A District's Federation, in the context of cooperatives, refers to an umbrella organization or federation that represents and serves the interests of cooperatives operating within a specific district or locality within a country.

 A Block or Taluk Federation, in the context of cooperatives, refers to an umbrella organization or federation that represents and serves the interests of cooperatives operating within a specific block or taluk (sub-district) within a country.