The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has cumulatively disbursed financial assistance of ₹4,14,586 crore to cooperative institutions across the country from the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation up to 25 October 2026, according to financial details presented at the 93rd meeting of its General Council in New Delhi on Thursday.
The meeting was held at NCDC headquarters under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah. It reviewed the Corporation’s financial and institutional achievements, expansion of financing in the cooperative sector, development of new multi-state cooperative societies, strengthening of rural livelihoods and its future action plan.
During FY 2025–26, NCDC sanctioned projects worth ₹1,55,408 crore and disbursed financial assistance of ₹1,27,596 crore. It earned a net profit of ₹1,475 crore, while its loan recovery rate stood at 99.84% and net NPA remained zero.
The Corporation’s annual disbursement increased from ₹24,733 crore in FY 2020–21 to ₹1,27,596 crore in FY 2025–26, representing an approximately fivefold increase over five years. The 3,339 units and projects sanctioned during FY 2025–26 provided for benefits to 14,881 cooperative societies, said a press release by the Ministry of Cooperation.
HM Shah Calls for 25-Year Roadmap for NCDC
Addressing the meeting, HM Amit Shah said NCDC had performed exceptionally well over the past nearly five years, registering progress in financial performance, achievement of targets, profit per employee, loan sanctions and disbursements, and maintenance of zero net NPA.
He welcomed the Corporation’s presence in all States and Union Territories, including through offices in remote areas such as Ladakh and smaller northeastern States, describing the expansion as an important step towards taking the cooperative movement to the farthest corners of the country.
The Union Minister said cooperation was an effective means of connecting small farmers, livestock rearers, rural women, fishers and economically weaker sections with national development. He cited Amul, IFFCO and Lijjat Papad as examples of successful cooperatives demonstrating how cooperative values and professional management could build globally competitive institutions.
HM Amit Shah called for a comprehensive roadmap for NCDC for the next 25 years. He proposed constituting a group of experienced cooperative-sector representatives and professional experts to examine its existing structure, alternative avenues for raising capital, participation of cooperative societies, financial autonomy, organisational reforms and future business opportunities.
He suggested a workshop on these issues and directed that a special meeting be convened after 31 March 2027 for a detailed presentation and discussion, with progress towards necessary decisions by December 2027.
Focus on Financial Capacity and Higher Disbursements
HM Shah stressed the need to increase NCDC’s financial disbursements in the coming years. Referring to targets of ₹1.70 lakh crore for FY 2026–27, ₹2.10 lakh crore for FY 2027–28 and ₹2.50 lakh crore for FY 2028–29, he called for more ambitious targets in subsequent years.
He emphasised working towards disbursements of approximately ₹3.50 lakh crore in FY 2029–30 and ₹3.5 lakh crore in FY 2030–31, citing expanding opportunities in dairy, fisheries, cooperative banking and other sectors.
He also urged NCDC to develop financial and organisational models that would reduce excessive dependence on government assistance and government banks. The Corporation should explore consortium and co-financing models with NABARD, State Cooperative Banks and commercial banks, as well as new financing models to meet the entire financial requirements of the dairy cooperative sector.
The Union Minister appreciated the support extended by the Reserve Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance in addressing NCDC’s financial and regulatory challenges.
Support for Farmers, Fishers and Cooperative Enterprises
Amit Shah highlighted NCDC’s role in developing National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), Bharat Taxi, Sahakar Sarathi and the umbrella organisation for Urban Cooperative Banks, NUCFDC.
He said improving the livelihoods of small farmers, livestock rearers and fishers was as important as providing financial assistance to large cooperative enterprises.
Citing the fisheries sector, he said NCDC had provided financial assistance for approximately 100 trawlers for deep-sea fishing. The initiative could significantly increase the monthly incomes of fishing families and improve opportunities for their children, he said, encouraging the Corporation to expand such grassroots initiatives.
He also called for new circular-economy-based business models for cooperative sugar mills. Referring to proposed multi-state cooperative initiatives in Kolhapur and Pune in Maharashtra, he said shared processing and industrial facilities could help mills that could not independently invest in modern processing plants. The Union Minister stressed that the profits generated should reach the cooperative sugar mills concerned.
The Minister further urged NCDC to involve eligible young people who had completed training and internships under the “Sahakar Mitra” programme in new multi-state cooperative societies. He suggested drawing on the successful management model of Banas Dairy for NCDC’s future functioning and institutional development.
Northeast to Target Self-Reliance in Dairy, Fisheries by 2030
Giving priority to the northeastern region, HM Amit Shah said a target had been set to make the Northeast self-reliant in animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries by 2030.
He estimated that achieving self-reliance in these sectors could increase the region’s income by approximately ₹32,800 crore and generate nearly eight lakh employment opportunities.
He directed NCDC’s offices in the Northeast to prepare practical projects in these sectors, arrange financing and implement them in collaboration with State Governments.
Amendment Act Expands Financing Opportunities
The meeting discussed the National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament and received the President’s assent before being published in the Gazette of India on 14 August 2026.
The amendment expanded avenues for financial assistance for cooperative development, institutional participation and investment through equity and share capital.
To make financial assistance more accessible and competitive for cooperative societies, the Central Government approved grant assistance of ₹2,000 crore for NCDC, enabling it to mobilise ₹20,000 crore from the market over four years.
Under the initiative, loans amounting to ₹9,380 crore were disbursed in FY 2025–26 and ₹6,172 crore in FY 2026–27 up to 25 October.
Sahakar Navachar Yojana to Promote Innovation
NCDC has launched the “Sahakar Navachar Yojana” to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the cooperative sector. The scheme provides for 100% grant assistance of up to ₹25 lakh to eligible cooperative societies.
An initial fund of ₹10 crore has been established, with 20% earmarked for cooperative societies in the northeastern region, hilly areas and disadvantaged sections. So far, grant assistance totalling ₹85 lakh has been sanctioned to five cooperative societies.
NCDC is also providing guidance and support in business development, digital accounting, financial management, branding and market linkages.
1,863 Cooperative FPOs Registered
NCDC has registered 1,863 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the cooperative sector, including 1,117 formed through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).
Under the scheme, ₹356.90 crore had been disbursed to FPOs and related institutions up to October 2026. The Corporation is also undertaking initiatives to provide financial and institutional assistance to fisheries cooperatives, women’s cooperatives, dairy, animal husbandry, food processing and other rural livelihood activities.
Over 21,600 Participants Attend Training Programmes
NCDC’s Laxmanrao Inamdar National Academy for Cooperative Research and Development (LINAC) and its regional training centres are conducting training programmes to strengthen human-resource development and capacity building in cooperative institutions.
During FY 2025–26, 21,688 participants attended 227 training programmes. The agreement between NCDC and IRMA (TSU) to strengthen modern management, digital technology, financial discipline, branding and professional efficiency in cooperative institutions was also highlighted.
The General Council reviewed NCDC’s audited annual accounts, annual report and financial performance for FY 2025–26. It also deliberated on financial programmes for the coming years, resource mobilisation opportunities, the growing financing needs of the cooperative sector and the Corporation’s long-term strategy.
-PIB inputs
