The passage of the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025, in the LokSabha on March 26 has been welcomed by IFFCO, the world’s No.1 cooperative. The bill paves the way for India’s first cooperative university, aimed at strengthening the rural economy, self-employment, and entrepreneurship.
Union Minister of Cooperation and Home Affairs Amit Shah emphasized that the university will create a new generation of cooperative leadership, equipped with modern education and research capabilities. IFFCO Managing Director Dr. Udai Shanker Awasthi called the move historic, stating it will empower the sector with trained professionals in cooperative management and marketing. Chairman Dileep Sanghani highlighted that the university will standardize cooperative education and promote global trade opportunities. The university’s sector-specific courses will help these businesses improve marketing, efficiency, and global outreach, positioning them for greater economic integration.
With over 8 lakh professionals expected to be trained annually, the university is set to become a hub for cooperative research and education. International Cooperative Alliance Director General Jeroen Douglas praised the initiative, calling it a major step for the global cooperative movement, strengthening India’s leadership in the sector.
