**Summary:**
The Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, is undertaking the BharatBanker program in collaboration with VAMNICOM (Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management), Pune, and the Syngenta Foundation India. This program aims to train 25,000 rural youth across India in the areas of rural banking, cooperative finance, digital technologies, and Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) operations. The curriculum includes two weeks of instructor-led classroom sessions utilizing lectures, case studies, group discussions, role-plays, and skill-building exercises. Following the classroom component, participants will engage in a one-month internship, applying their acquired knowledge in PACS, Cooperative banks, Common Service Centers (CSCs), or other cooperatives under the supervision of experienced mentors. The program includes both certification and internship opportunities for participants. As of July 29, 2025, the program is in the preparatory phase, and implementation has not yet begun, including in the Durg Lok Sabha Constituency in Chhattisgarh.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatBanker Program: A program launched by VAMNICOM and Syngenta Foundation India aimed at training rural youth.
VAMNICOM: Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management, an organization involved in launching the BharatBanker program.
Syngenta Foundation India: An organization collaborating with VAMNICOM in the BharatBanker program.
Ministry of Cooperation: The Indian government ministry responsible for matters related to cooperation.
Amit Shah: The Minister of Cooperation in the Indian government.
Durg Lok Sabha Constituency in Chhattisgarh: A specific Lok Sabha constituency in the state of Chhattisgarh, India, mentioned in relation to the BharatBanker program.
PACS: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, a type of cooperative mentioned in the training curriculum.
Pune, Maharashtra: Location of Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management VAMNICOM
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COOPERATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1428
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29th JULY, 2025
BHARAT-BANKER PROGRAM
1428. Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar:
Shri Bhojraj Nag:
Shri Yogender Chandolia:
Shri Dineshbhai Makwana:
Shri Ramesh Awasthi:
Shri Anurag Sharma:
Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato:
Shri Lumbaram Choudhary:
Shri Govind Makthappa Karjol:
Shri Dileshwar Kamait:
Shri Vijay Baghel:
Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar:
Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab:
Dr. Nishikant Dubey:
Smt. Aparajita Sarangi:
Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal:
Will the Minister of Cooperation (सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state:
(a) the number of rural youth targeted under the Bharat-Banker program launched by VAMNICOM
and Syngenta Foundation;
(b) the key components of the program’s curriculum and training modules;
(c) whether the program includes certification and internship opportunities for participants; and
(d) if so, the details thereof particularly of Durg Lok Sabha Constituency in Chhattisgarh?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION
सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)
(a) Under the Bharat-Banker Programme, launched by Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of
Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, in collaboration with Syngenta
Foundation India, a total of 25,000 rural youth are targeted to be trained across India.(b) The key components of the program are as follows:
(i) Two weeks of instructor-led classroom sessions, involving lectures, case studies, group
discussions, role-plays, and skill-building exercises focused on rural banking, cooperative
finance, digital technologies, and PACS operations.
(ii) One-month internship, during which trainees apply classroom knowledge in either
PACS/Cooperative banks/Common Service Centers (CSCs) and other cooperatives under
the guidance of experienced mentors.
(c) Yes, the programme includes certification and internship opportunities for participants.
(d) The programme is under preparatory phase and implementation has not yet begun.