The 72nd All India Cooperative Week commenced yesterday at NCUI, New Delhi, with an inaugural address by Ravindra Singh (Indraj), Delhi’s Minister for Social Welfare, SC/ST Welfare, Cooperation, and Elections. Celebrated from 14–20 November 2025, this year’s cooperative week is anchored in the theme “Cooperatives as Vehicles for Atmanirbhar Bharat,” highlighting the sector’s role in driving self-reliance and inclusive growth.
The inaugural ceremony saw the presence of several prominent cooperative leaders, including Chandrapal Singh Yadav, President of ICA-AP; Dr. Bijender Singh, Vice-President of NCUI and President of the Delhi State Cooperative Bank; and K.K. Singh, IAS, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Delhi. Senior NCUI officials and representatives from various cooperative institutions also attended, marking a strong start to the nationwide celebration.
Organized and coordinated by the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), the week aims to promote the cooperative spirit, strengthen governance, and align cooperatives with India’s mission of self-reliance.
A Platform to Reinforce “Sahakar Se Samriddhi”
The AICW 2025 comes at a crucial juncture when India’s cooperative movement is evolving under the guidance of the Ministry of Cooperation. Established in 2021, the Ministry has undertaken major reforms—modernizing cooperative societies, promoting ease of doing business and implementing the National Cooperation Policy 2025.
This year’s celebrations will feature seminars, workshops and contests at national and state levels. These forums are expected to generate actionable recommendations for improving governance, ensuring transparency and enhancing competitiveness in the cooperative sector.
Daily Themes: Technology, Inclusivity and Innovation
The NCUI’s official guidelines outline seven thematic days for this year’s celebration:
- Nov 14: Promoting Digitalization to Enhance Operational Efficiency, Accountability and Transparency
- Nov 15: Tribhuvan Sahakari University Research and Training Transforming Cooperative Education
- Nov 16: Strengthening rural development through cooperatives
- Nov 17: National Cooperation Policy Ecosystem, structured roadmap for India’s cooperatives
- Nov 18: Empowering Youth, Women and Weaker sections including handicrafts, handlooms, Labour and Fisheries through Cooperative Entrepreneurship
- Nov 19: Expanding cooperatives in emerging areas such as Tourism, Health, Green Energy, Platform Coops, Kitchen Coops and any other Conceivable area
- Nov 20: Innovation in Cooperative Business Models for Global Competitiveness
Impact: Modernising India’s Cooperative Movement
Driving Digital Transformation
The opening day’s focus on digitalisation highlights the government’s push to modernize cooperative operations through AI, data analytics, Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing etc. These tools are expected to enhance transparency, cut costs and streamline processes—enhancing governance and accountability.
Empowering Rural and Marginalized Communities
Sessions on November 16 and 18 aim to expand cooperatives’ role in rural livelihoods, women’s empowerment, and youth employment. The guidelines emphasize training, credit access and value-chain linkages to strengthen rural economies and promote inclusivity.
Expanding to New Frontiers
With themes on green energy, tourism and platform cooperatives, AICW 2025 reflects a strategic shift toward diversified cooperative enterprises. This aligns with India’s sustainability goals and the growing importance of bio-economy sectors such as biofuels, ethanol, and bio-CNG.
Perspective: Cooperative Sector at a Turning Point
Experts view this year’s Cooperative Week as more than symbolic—it represents a policy convergence between traditional cooperatives and modern enterprises. The focus on governance, transparency and technology signals an intent to make cooperatives globally competitive while retaining their community-based ethos.
If the recommendations from AICW 2025 are effectively implemented, they could lead to enhanced efficiency, financial inclusion, and rural prosperity, advancing the government’s “Sahakar se Samriddhi” vision.
As the 72nd All India Cooperative Week begins, it offers an opportunity for India’s vast cooperative network to redefine its role in a fast-changing economy. With an agenda centered on digitalisation, inclusivity and innovation, the week promises to lay the groundwork for a modern, resilient and self-reliant cooperative ecosystem that strengthens India’s journey toward Atmanirbhar Bharat.
