Section 2 of the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 - Definitions

Section 2 of the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 contains the statutory definitions used in the Act. These definitions explain important expressions such as "by-laws", "committee", "member", "officer", "registered society", "Registrar" and "rules".

Legal context: The Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 is Act No. 2 of 1912 and was enacted on 1 March 1912. Its application must be read with later State or other applicable co-operative society legislation. For the official central text, see the India Code resource linked below.

Section 2 - Definitions

Section 2 begins with the qualifying words: "In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context". The definitions therefore govern the interpretation of these expressions throughout the Act, subject to the statutory context.

(a) By-laws: "by-laws" means the registered by-laws for the time being in force, and includes a registered amendment of the by-laws.
(b) Committee: "committee" means the governing body of a registered society to whom the management of its affairs is entrusted.
(c) Member: "member" includes a person joining in the application for the registration of a society and a person admitted to membership after registration in accordance with the by-laws and any rules.
(d) Officer: "officer" includes a chairman, secretary, treasurer, member of committee, or other person empowered under the rules or the by-laws to give directions in regard to the business of the society.
(e) Registered society: "registered society" means a society registered or deemed to be registered under this Act.
(f) Registrar: "Registrar" means a person appointed to perform the duties of a Registrar of Co-operative Societies under this Act.
(g) Rules: "rules" means rules made under this Act.

Meaning and importance of the definitions

The definitions in Section 2 establish the meaning of recurring terms used in the Act. For example, the expression "by-laws" covers not only the registered by-laws originally in force but also a registered amendment. The expression "member" is inclusive and covers both a person joining the original registration application and a person subsequently admitted in accordance with the by-laws and rules.

The definition of "officer" is also inclusive. It expressly refers to the chairman, secretary, treasurer and a member of the committee, and extends to another person who is empowered under the rules or by-laws to give directions concerning the business of the society.

Official text and applicable law

The official central text of the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 is available on India Code - Co-operative Societies Act, 1912. Because co-operative society law may also be governed by legislation applicable in a particular State or to a particular class of society, the governing enactment should be verified for the relevant jurisdiction and society before relying on this provision.

Page reviewed: 21 September 2026.