The Registrar of Cooperative Societies being the head of the department is functioning at Chennai. The Registrar of Cooperative Societies is assisted by Additional Registrars of Cooperative Societies, Joint Registrars of Cooperative Societies and Deputy Registrars of Cooperative Societies at the Headquarters. A Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies is in-charge of each region. Circle Deputy Registrars of Cooperative Societies are working under their control.

There are twenty nine regions in the State with a Joint Registrar incharge of each region (District). The regional Joint Registrars are responsible for the proper functioning of the cooperative societies in the district (i.e) cooperative credit institutions, consumer Cooperatives, cooperative marketing and processing societies, farming societies and special type of cooperative societies like labour contract societies.

There are two Joint Registrars (Public Distribution System) in Chennai, exclusively to attend to the work relating to distribution of essential commodities through the public distribution system outlets of the cooperative societies functioning in Chennai City and belt areas.