January–March 2025: Digitalization & Early Reforms
The year began with a strong push towards digital transformation of the cooperative sector. A nationwide modernization drive was launched to upgrade Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with digital infrastructure and unified operational software. This initiative aimed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and integration with district and state cooperative banks. During this period, the Reserve Bank of India revised Priority Sector Lending norms, expanding the role of urban cooperative banks by increasing loan limits and eligible categories, thereby strengthening cooperative credit delivery.
April–June 2025: Building Momentum
Momentum gathered as India prepared to play a leadership role in the United Nations–declared International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025. A global cooperative conference in New Delhi set the tone for policy coordination, leadership development, sustainability, and international collaboration. Simultaneously, the Union Government outlined a PACS-centric reform strategy focused on establishing cooperatives in every village and expanding the functional scope of PACS, aligning cooperative growth with inclusive rural development goals.
June–July 2025: Policy Revolution
A landmark moment came with the announcement of the National Cooperative Policy 2025–2045, a long-term roadmap for transforming India’s cooperative ecosystem over the next two decades. The policy set ambitious targets, including the creation of two lakh new PACS by early 2026 and ensuring at least one cooperative in every village within five years. States were directed to align their cooperative policies within a defined timeline. The formal launch of the policy emphasized governance reforms, digital integration, inclusivity, and expansion into emerging sectors such as tourism, green energy, insurance, and services.
August–September 2025: Education & Institutional Strengthening
Institutional capacity-building took centre stage with the establishment and expansion of the Tribhuvan Sahkari University as the national hub for cooperative education, research, and leadership development. Cooperative management and certification programs were introduced through affiliated institutions to create a skilled professional workforce. During the same period, state governments launched initiatives positioning cooperatives as key drivers of youth employment, supported by education, credit access, and multipurpose PACS models.
October–November 2025: Expansion on the Ground
On the ground, cooperative expansion accelerated across states. Several states reported the formation of large numbers of new PACS, many of which were converted into multipurpose cooperatives offering services across agriculture, dairy, fisheries, artisanship, retail, and entrepreneurship. Nationwide registration of cooperatives surged, with many expanding into new service areas such as LPG distribution, affordable medicine outlets, digital service centres, and local retail, strengthening village-level economic ecosystems.
December 2025: Mega Conferences & Sector Visibility
The year concluded with high-level cooperative conferences showcasing the scale and impact of reforms. New digital and physical infrastructure projects were launched, including milk cooling units, flour mills, and financial inclusion tools such as RuPay debit cards for cooperative bank members. Efforts were also announced to revive defunct cooperative sugar mills, aimed at restoring rural employment and improving farmer incomes. Alongside these developments, legal and regulatory processes continued to refine cooperative governance and membership frameworks.
What the 2025 Timeline Shows
The developments of 2025 highlight a decisive convergence of government policy, institutional reform, and grassroots cooperative action. The year marked a shift towards digitally empowered, professionally managed, and diversified cooperatives. With strong policy backing, expanding reach, and deeper integration into economic activities beyond credit, cooperatives emerged as vital engines of inclusive growth. The trajectory set in 2025 reflects a shared national vision, cooperatives strengthened through government collaboration and active member participation.
