Bhagalpur Cooperative Societies and PACS Computerization Update
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
As of 15 July 2026, Bhagalpur district in Bihar has 788 cooperative societies, with 728 active. The government's PACS computerization project has been expanded to cover 79,630 PACS with a total outlay of ₹2,925.39 crore, and 38,138 new multi-purpose PACS/dairy/fishery cooperatives have been registered nationwide since February 2023.
Background
The Ministry of Cooperation was established on 6 July 2021 with the vision of 'Sahakar se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation). The PACS computerization project was launched in 2022 as a central sector scheme to digitize Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and link them with State Cooperative Banks (StCBs), District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), and NABARD.
Key facts
Bhagalpur district has 788 cooperative societies as of 15 July 2026, of which 728 are active.
The PACS computerization project initially covered 63,000 PACS with ₹2,516 crore outlay; now expanded to 79,630 PACS with ₹2,925.39 crore.
As of 15 July 2026, 63,686 PACS have been onboarded on the ERP-based Common National Software, and 65,875 have received hardware.
Since February 2023, 38,138 new multi-purpose PACS/dairy/fishery cooperatives have been registered across India.
21,292 dairy and fishery cooperatives have been strengthened.
The Ministry of Cooperation has also computerized the CRCS office, RCS offices, and ARDBs.
Top states by PACS computerization funds released (central share) include Maharashtra (₹150.73 crore), Gujarat (₹94.86 crore), and Rajasthan (₹92.83 crore).
Prelims pointers
- Ministry of Cooperation established: 6 July 2021
- PACS computerization: Central Sector Project, launched 2022
- Total outlay: ₹2,925.39 crore for 79,630 PACS
- ERP-based Common National Software used
- NABARD, NDDB, NFDB involved in new cooperative formation
- Target: cover all panchayats and villages in 5 years
- 38,138 new cooperatives registered (Feb 2023 – Jul 2026)
- 21,292 dairy/fishery cooperatives strengthened
- Bhagalpur district: 788 total, 728 active cooperatives
Mains angles
- GS2: Role of cooperatives in rural development and financial inclusion
- GS3: Digitalization of agriculture credit systems and its impact on farmers
- GS3: Government schemes for cooperative sector – PACS computerization and new multi-purpose cooperatives