Lok Sabha Passes Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025: India’s First National Cooperative University

The Lok Sabha has passed the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025, paving the way for the establishment of India’s first national-level cooperative university aimed at promoting professional education, training, and research in the cooperative sector.

Key Features of Tribhuvan Sahkari University

• The university will be established in the state of Gujarat, with jurisdiction extending across India to standardize and support training efforts in cooperative education.

• Named in honor of Tribhuvan Kashibhai Patel, the legendary cooperative leader and founder of Amul, the university aims to institutionalize capacity-building and leadership development in the sector.

• It will offer a range of academic programs including undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and doctoral degrees, with the goal of certifying over 8 lakh individuals annually.

• The university will be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, allowing it functional autonomy while being supported and guided by the central government.

Why is a National Cooperative University Needed?

Despite the vast scope and socio-economic potential of the cooperative sector in India, existing institutions such as the:

• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) have limited capacity and outreach, resulting in an uneven distribution of skill development and training opportunities.

The cooperative sector encompasses over 8.5 lakh registered cooperative societies in India, including:

• Credit cooperatives

• Dairy and agricultural cooperatives

• Housing and consumer societies

However, most lack access to systematic education, managerial training, and research, especially at the grassroots level.

The Cooperative Sector: Constitutional and Legislative Framework

• The cooperative model is a form of voluntary, member-driven organization, designed to meet common social and economic needs through shared ownership and democratic governance.

• The sector plays a vital role in rural development, poverty alleviation, and financial inclusion, particularly in agriculture, credit, and dairy.

Key legal and constitutional developments include:

1. The Constitution (97th Amendment) Act, 2011:

   • Inserted “co-operative societies” under Article 19(1)(c), recognizing the right to form cooperative societies as a Fundamental Right.

   • Added Part IXB to the Constitution, providing a framework for the democratic functioning and autonomy of cooperative societies.

2. The Cooperative Societies Act, 1912 and
   The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002:

   • Regulate cooperatives operating within and across state boundaries, respectively.

3. The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023:

   • Introduced reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and governance in multi-state cooperative societies.

   • Mandated the appointment of Cooperative Information Officers, audit reforms, and stricter financial disclosure requirements.

Significance

The creation of Tribhuvan Sahkari University represents a transformative step in the institutionalization of the cooperative movement in India. It is expected to:

• Bridge skill gaps in cooperative management

• Promote entrepreneurship and innovation in rural areas

• Act as a think tank and policy support center for cooperative reforms

• Align with India’s vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation)