The Ministry of Cooperation has begun work on a National Cooperative Training Framework (NCTF) 2026 to create a unified system for training and building skills among cooperative sector workers and leaders across India. The framework aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi”, or prosperity through cooperation.
A national-level consultation to shape the NCTF was held on 24 September 2026 in New Delhi at Atal Akshaya Urja Bhawan. The event brought together government officials, state representatives, cooperative federations, training institutions and universities to discuss how training in the cooperative sector should be designed and delivered.
Key facts
- Framework name: National Cooperative Training Framework (NCTF) 2026
- Lead institution: Tribhuvan Sahkari University in collaboration with Ministry of Cooperation
- Consultation date: 24 September 2026
- Venue: Atal Akshaya Urja Bhawan, New Delhi
- Inaugurated by: Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Cooperation
- Planned follow-up: Five regional consultations covering North, South, East, West and North-East India
What the framework aims to achieve
The NCTF 2026 is designed to strengthen the human resources of India’s cooperative sector by building a professional, skilled and future-ready workforce. Rather than simply expanding the number of training programmes offered, the framework prioritises quality of training and measurable outcomes.
According to Krishan Pal Gurjar, training should lead to stronger capabilities within cooperative institutions, improved professional skills among staff and members, and better results for cooperative businesses and their stakeholder communities.
The framework aims to create what officials call “coherent, quality-assured, accessible and outcome-oriented” training architecture. This means bringing together different training institutions, universities and capacity-building organisations under common standards so that training remains consistent, relevant and reaches all regions effectively.
How the framework will be developed
The national-level consultation held in September 2026 was the first of two planned at the national level. This initial meeting set the broad directions and priorities for the framework.
Following the national consultation, five regional-level consultations will be organised across India covering the North, South, East, West and North-East regions. These regional meetings will allow stakeholders from different parts of the country to provide input based on local needs and conditions.
Tribhuvan Sahkari University, which is leading the process along with the Ministry of Cooperation, is tasked with creating an architecture that responds to the diverse requirements of different states while maintaining common quality standards.
Connection to government’s cooperative sector policy
The NCTF 2026 is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Cooperation to modernise and professionalise India’s cooperative movement. The framework specifically addresses training and capacity building, which the government considers vital for strengthening cooperative institutions.
The initiative operates under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who also holds the Cooperation portfolio, signalling the government’s priority for the sector.
Who participated in the consultation
The national consultation included senior officials from the Ministry of Cooperation and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, indicating that training framework development involves coordination between multiple government departments. Representatives from state governments and union territories, national cooperative federations, state cooperative unions, existing cooperative training institutions, universities, and sectoral development organisations also participated.
What this means for you
If you work in a cooperative institution, are a member of a cooperative, or manage a cooperative training programme, the NCTF 2026 will eventually affect how training is structured and delivered. The framework aims to raise training standards across the sector, which could mean better-quality capacity-building opportunities.
Students and professionals aspiring to work in cooperative management or administration may find more standardised, professionally-designed training pathways as the framework is implemented across states and regions.
What happens next
The Ministry of Cooperation and Tribhuvan Sahkari University will now organise five regional-level consultations across India. These meetings will gather feedback from different regions before finalising the national framework design.