Cooperative Society Registration in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar — Minimum Members, Process, Bye-laws and Alternatives
Quick answer: A cooperative society is registered with the state Registrar of Cooperative Societies under the state's own Act, so the minimum membership differs: the Delhi Co-operative Societies Act 2003 needs at least 15 members, each primary member from a different family and resident in the area of operation, and the Registrar's citizen's charter sets 90 days to approve a proposal; the Haryana Act of 1984 needs at least ten individuals above 18 years; the Uttar Pradesh Act of 1965 needs not less than ten applicants where all are individuals. Bihar societies are governed by the Bihar Self-Supporting Co-operative Societies Act 1996, and we read the membership rule and filing route from the Act and the Registrar's portal at filing. The common steps are a name, bye-laws, a signed application with member details, a viability check and Registrar scrutiny, after which a registration certificate is issued.
Last verified 5 October 2026 — rules on this page checked against the current notifications. We update it the day a rule changes.
Minimum members by state
| State | Law | Minimum for a primary society | Other points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Delhi Co-operative Societies Act 2003 and Rules 2007 | 15 members, each from a different family, residing in the area of operation | Registrar's citizen's charter: approval of a new society's proposal in 90 days; viability norms are prescribed under the Rules; family means father, mother, spouse and dependent children |
| Haryana | Haryana Co-operative Societies Act 1984 and Rules 1989 | 10 individuals above 18 years (fewer where a member is itself a cooperative society, in which case the rule differs) | Registered under Section 8 of the Act; application as prescribed under the Rules |
| Uttar Pradesh | Uttar Pradesh Co-operative Societies Act 1965 | Not less than ten applicants who will be ordinary members, if all are individuals; not less than five in other cases | Applicants must also meet the residence and qualification conditions for lending societies |
| Bihar | Bihar Self-Supporting Co-operative Societies Act 1996 (amended 2008) | Read from the Act and the Registrar's portal at filing — we do not quote a number we have not checked on the primary text | Different types of societies may sit under different Acts; the type of society decides the route |
Cooperative societies are a state subject, so the figures above are taken from each state's Act or the Registrar's own publication; a society whose business spreads over more than one state is registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act 2002 with the Central Registrar. The Registrar's website for Delhi still carries older "ten persons" wording on one page, but the governing 2003 Act is the 15-member text.
Registration steps
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Concept and viability | Objects, area of operation, member base, share capital and a business projection that meets the Registrar's viability test |
| 2. Name and bye-laws | A name with the word "co-operative" as required, bye-laws on membership, share capital, management, meetings, surplus and dissolution (model bye-laws are adapted) |
| 3. Application | Prescribed form signed by the minimum number of promoters with member details, share subscription and bank account details |
| 4. Scrutiny | The Registrar checks that the objects fit the Act, the bye-laws comply and members are qualified; queries are answered |
| 5. Certificate | On registration the Registrar issues a certificate, which is conclusive evidence of registration and makes the society a body corporate |
| 6. After registration | PAN and TAN, bank account, first general body meeting, books, audit by the Registrar's auditor or a notified auditor, and annual returns to the Registrar |
Cooperative society or another entity?
- Cooperative society: one-member-one-vote, state Registrar oversight, suited to credit and thrift, housing, consumer, marketing and dairy groups
- Producer company: a company of primary producers under the Companies Act, with ROC compliance and no Registrar of Cooperative Societies — see producer company and FPO
- Section 8 company or society: for non-profit objects without member trading — see Section 8 and NGO registration
- Private limited or LLP: where profit distribution and outside investment matter — see entity comparison
What we do
- Choice of entity, bye-laws, application and follow-up with the Registrar in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; correction of queries and rejections
- Post-registration set-up: bank, PAN/TAN, audit, annual returns and general-body paperwork; later tax-exemption and annual compliance where applicable
- Funding routes for members — MSME schemes, PMFME, CGTMSE cover
Dates, forms and thresholds are quoted from the governing Act, rules and official portals; where a figure changes by notification or year, the page says so and we confirm it at filing rather than estimate.
Talk to us before you file anything
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum number of members to register a cooperative society in Delhi?
Fifteen, each primary member from a different family and residing in the area of operation, under Section 5 of the Delhi Co-operative Societies Act 2003.
How many members are needed in Haryana?
At least ten individuals above 18 years under the Haryana Co-operative Societies Act 1984.
How many members are needed in Uttar Pradesh?
Not less than ten applicants who will be ordinary members if all are individuals, and not less than five in other cases, under the Uttar Pradesh Act of 1965.
How long does registration take in Delhi?
The Registrar's citizen's charter gives 90 days for approval of a new society's proposal, counted from a complete application.
What documents does the Registrar want?
The signed application in the prescribed form, proposed bye-laws, member list with addresses and share subscription, and a viability note; exact enclosures are listed on each Registrar's form.
Is cooperative society registration online?
Several Registrars offer online services, but the route differs by state and society type, so we confirm the current portal before filing.
Which law applies to a society working in more than one state?
The Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act 2002, with registration by the Central Registrar of Co-operative Societies.
Cooperative society or producer company?
A cooperative is registered with the state Registrar and run on one-member-one-vote; a producer company is a company under the Companies Act with ROC compliance.