In a significant step towards strengthening digital governance and improving transparency in the cooperative sector, the Ministry of Cooperation has authorised the Office of the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS) to undertake Aadhaar-based authentication for various cooperative-related services.
However, the facility will remain entirely voluntary, and no individual can be denied services for refusing to undergo Aadhaar authentication.
According to a notification issued on October 23, 2026, under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, read with the Aadhaar Act, 2016, the CRCS office has been permitted to use Aadhaar-based Yes/No and e-KYC authentication facilities to establish the identity of individuals associated with cooperative societies.
Under the notified framework, Aadhaar authentication will be available for promoters and board members of cooperative societies at the time of society registration, amendment of bye-laws and other related services. It will also cover cooperative society members during registration, updation of their personal details and at the time of society elections.
Additionally, CRCS officials and other service providers will be permitted to use Aadhaar authentication for administrative purposes. The initiative aims to prevent impersonation, duplication and fraudulent activities while ensuring greater accuracy and integrity in cooperative records.
To ensure that cooperative stakeholders are not inconvenienced, the notification also provides for alternative and viable means of identity verification.
These include bank or post-office passbooks carrying photographs, Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards, Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), passports, ration cards, voter identity cards, Kisan Photo Passbooks and driving licences. The Ministry may also specify other acceptable identity documents.
The notification further mandates the Ministry to obtain informed consent from Aadhaar holders before authentication. It also requires the authorities to inform individuals about alternative identification methods, ensuring that access to cooperative services is not affected by the voluntary nature of Aadhaar verification.
The move is expected to facilitate smoother verification procedures in cooperative society registration, membership management and elections, while encouraging the adoption of digital platforms in cooperative administration.
The notification was issued by Shiv Pal Singh, Joint Secretary and Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Ministry of Cooperation. It came into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
