NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 28, 2025: As part of the nationwide Vigilance Awareness Week 2025, the National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT), an apex organisation under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, organised a solemn Oath-Taking Ceremony at its headquarters in New Delhi.
The event was graced by Minu Shukla Pathak, Secretary, NCCT, who administered the Integrity Pledge to all officers and employees on the theme “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility.”
In her address, Mrs Pathak emphasised that vigilance is not a one-time act but a continuous culture of ethical awareness that must permeate every level of cooperative functioning. She highlighted that in a sector as community-oriented as cooperatives, transparency, integrity, and accountability form the bedrock of public trust.
She said, “The cooperative sector thrives when every individual takes ownership of ethical conduct. Vigilance begins with self-awareness, and NCCT, as the national training arm of the Ministry of Cooperation, must lead this culture through education, example, and empowerment.”
NCCT’s Role in Promoting Ethical Training and Cooperative Governance
NCCT has been at the forefront of capacity building, leadership development, and professional training for the cooperative sector across India. With its extensive network of Regional Institutes of Cooperative Management (RICMs) and Institutes of Cooperative Management (ICMs), NCCT has been instrumental in nurturing professionalism, transparency, and ethical leadership among cooperative personnel.
Through its diverse training modules, NCCT integrates components on corporate ethics, vigilance, governance practices, and public accountability, ensuring that cooperative managers, employees, and office bearers imbibe the principles of honesty and fairness in administration.
In recent years, NCCT has also introduced Digital Governance and e-Vigilance Modules, empowering cooperative institutions to implement transparent decision-making processes through digital monitoring, grievance redressal mechanisms, and participatory audits.
During the Vigilance Awareness Week 2025, NCCT is organising interactive sessions, seminars, and case discussions focusing on “Integrity in Public Service” and “Preventive Vigilance for Cooperative Strength.” These initiatives underscore NCCT’s commitment to align cooperative functioning with the Government of India’s vision of corruption-free, transparent governance.
Building a Culture of Vigilance through Training
In keeping with its mandate, NCCT continues to innovate in its training approach by introducing Ethics-in-Action modules for cooperative officials. These modules emphasise real-life decision-making scenarios, accountability in financial management, and good governance practices.
The Council’s training programs further aim to strengthen the internal audit and compliance culture within cooperatives, encouraging self-regulation rather than mere compliance-driven vigilance.
As NCCT Secretary Pathak noted, “Training and awareness are our strongest safeguards against unethical behaviour. A well-informed and ethically committed workforce ensures that cooperative institutions remain true to their founding values of honesty, mutual trust, and collective good.”
Conclusion
The observance of Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 at NCCT not only reaffirmed the Council’s institutional integrity but also marked a renewed commitment to embed vigilance as an everyday responsibility within India’s cooperative movement.
Through its sustained focus on ethical training, digital vigilance, and leadership accountability, NCCT continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a transparent, responsible, and resilient cooperative ecosystem—inspired by the spirit of cooperation and guided by the principles of good governance.
About the Author
