Date: 2026-06-18Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah reviewed the national roadmap prepared to strengthen cooperative banking, organic products, and cooperative exports.
**Executive Summary**
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah reviewed the national roadmap to strengthen cooperative banking, organic products, and exports during a series of meetings in New Delhi. The initiative focuses on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and market expansion, with a specific target to cover 100 cooperative banks with e-KYC and AePS services by August 2026. Key action items include the mandatory integration of cooperative banks into shared digital platforms and the scaling of organic procurement and global export operations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Cooperative Banking & Digital Infrastructure**
* **Platform Adoption:** Cooperative banks must adopt shared digital platforms, cybersecurity systems, and common services at the earliest.
* **Institutional Integration:** Rural cooperative banks are directed to integrate with ‘Sahkar Sarathi,’ while Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) must connect with the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC).
* **Banking Domain:** The "Bank.in" initiative provides a dedicated banking domain to enhance the digital identity of cooperative banks.
* **Cooperative Bank of India (COBI):** Ongoing discussions are being held regarding the role of the proposed COBI in supporting the sector’s long-term growth.
**Cybersecurity and Fraud Management**
* **MuleHunter.AI Integration:** To strengthen fraud risk management, MuleHunter.AI is being integrated with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
* **Security Frameworks:** Emphasis has been placed on adopting indigenous technology solutions and robust cybersecurity frameworks to protect against emerging digital threats.
**Digital Service Expansion**
* **AePS and e-KYC:** Sahkar Sarathi has rolled out Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) services. While e-KYC is currently live in select banks, the roadmap aims to reach 100 banks by August 2026.
* **Cost Reduction:** These digital initiatives are specifically designed to reduce the cost of banking services for cooperative institutions.
**Organic Products and Exports**
* **NCOL Operations:** National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) will scale up procurement from organic farmers and provide support for testing, certification, and quality assurance.
* **NCEL Strategy:** National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) is tasked with expanding the global reach of cooperative products and identifying niche market opportunities for value-added goods.
* **Market Visibility:** The "Co-op Mark" and a new digital marketplace will be rolled out to enhance brand recognition and competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
**Impact Analysis**
**Rural Cooperative Banks**
**Impact:** Access to shared digital services and indigenous technology will reduce operational costs and improve service delivery.
**Action Required:** Must become members of Sahkar Sarathi and adopt AePS and e-KYC services.
**Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs)**
**Impact:** Integration into the NUCFDC platform provides access to institutional support and standardized technological solutions.
**Action Required:** Connect with NUCFDC and migrate to the common platform to expand membership and service capabilities.
**Organic Farmers**
**Impact:** Increased procurement by NCOL and better market linkages will lead to remunerative prices and higher incomes.
**Action Required:** Engage with NCOL for mapping products and comply with organic testing and certification standards.
**National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) & National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)**
**Impact:** These entities are positioned as the primary drivers for domestic organic growth and global cooperative trade.
**Action Required:** NCOL must scale procurement and certification operations; NCEL must identify niche export markets and work with government departments to promote exports.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Cooperation: The central government ministry overseeing the national roadmap to strengthen cooperative banking, organic produce procurement, and export ecosystems.
National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC): The umbrella organization dedicated to bringing all urban cooperative banks onto a common digital platform for technological and institutional support.
Sahakar Sarathi: A technology-driven initiative providing digital banking services, including AePS and e-KYC, to strengthen the rural cooperative banking sector.
National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL): An entity focused on scaling procurement from organic farmers and strengthening testing, certification, and market linkages for organic produce.
National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL): The national body responsible for expanding the global market reach of cooperative products and identifying international export opportunities.
Ministry of Cooperation
Union Home Minister and Minister of
Cooperation Shri Amit Shah reviewed the
national roadmap prepared to strengthen
cooperative banking, organic products, and
cooperative exports.
Cooperative banks should adopt the shared digital platform,
cybersecurity system, and common services at the earliest.
Rural cooperative banks should integrate with 'Sahkar
Sarathi', while urban cooperative banks should connect with
NUCFDC.
The integration of MuleHunter.AI with I4C will strengthen
fraud risk management and cybersecurity preparedness of
cooperative banks.
Sahkar Sarathi has launched AePS services; e-KYC is now
live in select cooperative banks, with a target of covering 100
cooperative banks by August 2026.
NUCFDC is working to bring all urban cooperative banks onto
a common platform to provide technological solutions and
institutional support.
NCOL will increase procurement from organic farmers and
strengthen testing, certification, and market linkages, while
NCEL will expand the reach of cooperative products in global
markets.
Through Co-op Mark, a digital marketplace, and internationalexpansion, cooperative products will gain stronger brand
recognition, wider market access, and greater
competitiveness.
प्रव तथ: 18 JUN 2026 5:42PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired a series of review meetings in
New Delhi on national-level cooperative initiatives aimed at strengthening the cooperative banking
ecosystem, promoting organic products through cooperatives and expanding the global reach of
cooperative products through exports.
The meetings were attended by Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Secretary,
Ministry of Cooperation Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Chairman, NABARD Shri Shaji K.V., senior officers
of the Ministry and representatives of key cooperative institutions including the proposed Cooperative
Bank of India (COBI), Sahakar Sarathi Private Limited (SSPL), National Urban Cooperative Finance and
Development Corporation (NUCFDC), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and National
Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL).
During the review of major cooperative banking initiatives, Shri Amit Shah took stock of the progress of
various measures being undertaken to strengthen the cooperative banking sector through technology
adoption, improved governance, cyber security, digital payments, common service platforms and
enhanced service delivery. Detailed discussions were held on the proposed Cooperative Bank of India and
its role in supporting the cooperative banking sector in the coming years.
The progress of Sahakar Sarathi’s technology-driven initiatives for cooperative banks was also reviewed.
The meeting noted the encouraging response being received from cooperative banks towards common
digital platforms and shared services. Particular emphasis was laid on wider adoption of indigenous
technology solutions and strengthening of digital infrastructure across urban and rural cooperative banks.
The progress of Bank.in, a dedicated banking domain initiative for cooperative banks, was reviewed
during the meeting. Ongoing efforts for wider deployment of technology-enabled services and digital
solutions across the cooperative banking sector were also discussed.
The meeting also took note of the work being undertaken for integration of MuleHunter.AI with the Indian
Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to further strengthen fraud risk management and cyber security
capabilities within cooperative banks. This initiative is expected to enhance the preparedness of
cooperative banks against emerging digital threats and strengthen trust in digital cooperative banking
services.
Shri Amit Shah emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation among sectoral institutions and increase
the participation of cooperative banks in common service platforms. He highlighted the importance of
robust cyber security frameworks, modern banking technology and sustainable business models for the
cooperative banking sector.
The meeting further noted that NUCFDC, the Umbrella Organisation for Urban Cooperative Banks, is
actively working to bring all Urban Cooperative Banks on a common platform and expand its membership
base to cover the entire UCB sector. This will facilitate greater access to shared services, technology
solutions and institutional support for Urban Cooperative Banks.
It was also noted that SSPL has rolled out AePS services and e-KYC is already live in select cooperative
banks. Expansion is underway in some States, with a target to cover 100 cooperative banks by August
2026. The initiative has significantly reduced the cost of digital banking services for cooperative banks.Shri Amit Shah emphasized that all Rural Cooperative Banks should become members of Sahakar Sarathi
Private Limited and all Urban Cooperative Banks should become members of NUCFDC, and should also
avail services from these institutions. He also underlined the important role of COBI, SSPL and NUCFDC
in strengthening the cooperative banking sector in the coming days.
In a separate review of the National Cooperative Organics Limited and the National Cooperative Exports
Limited, Shri Amit Shah reviewed the activities and future roadmap of both organizations. The review
focused on membership expansion, engagement with member cooperatives and producers, business
development initiatives, procurement and marketing of organic produce, strengthening of the national
cooperative organic and export ecosystems, assessment of market opportunities and future growth
strategies.
The Home and Cooperation Minister also reviewed plans for expansion through Central Government
agencies, strengthening presence across physical and digital marketplaces, promotion and rollout of the
Co-op Mark, expansion into international markets and identification of emerging strategic opportunities to
enhance the reach, visibility and global competitiveness of products from the cooperative sector.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that NCOL should scale up its procurement operations to source
organic produce from a larger number of organic farmers across the country. NCOL should identify and
map organic producers and products and support farmers throughout the organic value chain by
facilitating testing, certification, quality assurance, capacity building and compliance with organic
standards.
It was further emphasized that NCOL should provide strong market linkages for organic produce so that
farmers are able to access remunerative markets. These efforts will strengthen the organic ecosystem,
enhance farmers’ incomes and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the country.
The review of NCEL focused on expanding market linkages in international markets for cooperative
products with strong global competitiveness. It was emphasized that NCEL should enhance business
engagement with its member cooperatives, strengthen the national cooperative export ecosystem and work
closely with various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India to promote cooperative
exports.
NCEL was also asked to actively identify and develop export opportunities for niche and value-added
products, enabling cooperatives to access new markets and improve their global presence.
The Ministry of Cooperation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the cooperative sector in line
with the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi”, with a focus on
innovation, financial inclusion, digital transformation, sustainable agriculture, better market access for
farmers and global competitiveness of cooperative products.
****
AK
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