The first co-operative society of our country was registered in 1905 at Kanaginahal village of Gadag district in Karnataka. Sri Siddanagouda Sannaramana Gouda Patil is considered as the pioneer in the co-operative movement as he is the founder president of the said co-operative society in our country.

The Mysore Co-operative Societies Act 1959 is the first legislation in our state pertaining to the co-operative societies and has come into being from 25-05-1960.

Karnataka occupies third position in the co-operative movement in India. It has been playing an important role in improving the economic condition of people involved in co-operative movement and has spread to almost all sectors of economic activities, both in rural and urban areas.

The powers of the Registrar have been delegated to the 4 Regional Joint Registrars of Co-operative societies, 31 District Registrars of cooperative Societies and 51 Assistant Registrars of Co-operative Societies based on the registered jurisdiction of cooperatives. These officers exercise Statutory and Administrative Control over the co-operatives in accordance with the powers delegated to them. They function as Quasi Judicial Authorities and perform all other statutory Duties.