Following the implementation of the amended Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Co-operative Election Authority has successfully conducted elections in ten multi-state Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) across the country after the new tenure norms came into force from August 1, 2025.
The amendment extended the maximum continuous tenure of directors in cooperative banks from eight years to ten years under Section 10A of the Banking Regulation Act.
To ensure proper implementation, the Election Authority incorporated the revised provisions into the appointment orders issued to Returning Officers overseeing UCB elections.
Among the major cooperative banks where elections were conducted after the amendment are the Mehsana Cooperative Bank Ltd., A.P Mahesh Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd., Bharati Sahakari Bank Ltd., Shri Veershaiv Cooperative Bank Limited, the Varachha Cooperative Bank Limited and the Cosmos Cooperative Bank Ltd.
According to the Authority’s latest information note, both contested and uncontested elections were held during this period. Elections in banks such as Solapur Janta Sahakari Bank Limited and the Varachha Cooperative Bank Limited witnessed polling, while several others were elected unopposed.
The move is being seen as a significant step towards ensuring continuity, stability and stronger governance in the cooperative banking sector.