In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said the Ministry of Cooperation has launched several initiatives to commemorate the United Nations–International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, themed “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” The theme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ICA Global Cooperative Conference in 2024.
To mark the occasion, the Ministry released a comprehensive Annual Action Plan on January 24, 2025, in Mumbai and constituted national and state-level committees for effective coordination. The IYC logo has been widely promoted, on railway e-tickets, government websites, Amul milk packets, and during the Women’s Premier League matches.
Major events included the laying of foundation stones for 25 PACS godowns in Bihar, a state-level conference in Madhya Pradesh, and IFFCO Kalol’s Golden Jubilee in Gujarat. The foundation stone of India’s first cooperative university, Tribhuvan Sahkari University, was laid on July 5 in Anand. A national celebration was held on July 6 to mark the Ministry’s 4th Foundation Day.
Other activities include a nationwide plantation drive, walkathons, cleanliness drives, exhibitions, and awareness campaigns.
Shah said a benchmarking framework and Business Reform Action Plan are being prepared, and a consolidated annual report will be released later this year.