All types of cooperative societies in the State were under the administrative control of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies till 1955. From 1956-1957 onwards due to massive expansion in cooperative movement, certain categories of the societies were transferred to the control of the respective heads of department who are designated as the Functional Registrars of these societies. As on date, there are 15 Functional Registrars besides Registrar of Cooperative Societies. The Registrar of Cooperative Societies remains the authority for interpretation of Cooperative Societies Act and Rules for all types of societies.

The Cooperative Societies presently under the control of Registrar of Cooperative Societies are involved mainly in disbursement of agricultural credit in rural and non-agricultural credit in urban areas, marketing of agricultural produce, sale of consumer goods and provision of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs to farmers. There are other specialized cooperative institutions like Printing Cooperatives, Employees Cooperative Thrift and Credit Societies and Labour Contract Cooperative Societies serving the interests of their members.