Sections 12-14 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Three short sections follow the procedure for amending bye-laws. Section 12 says when an amendment comes into force. Section 13 lets a society change its name by amending its bye-laws without disturbing any right, obligation or legal proceeding. Section 14, whose heading the 2023 Amendment Act changed to "Address", requires every society to have a principal place of business and a registered address, and since 2023 that address includes an e-mail address.
The sections are explained as per the Ministry of Cooperation copy of the Act read with the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023. If a society is planning a new name or a move of office, a legal consultation can sequence the steps in the right order.
An amendment of bye-laws comes into force on the day it is registered, unless it names a particular day (s.12). A society may change its name by amending its bye-laws; the change does not affect any right or obligation, and proceedings continue in the new name (s.13). Every society must have a principal place of business and an address, including e-mail address, registered in the manner prescribed, for all notices and communications (s.14, amended in 2023).
Section 12: when an amendment comes into force
"An amendment of the bye-laws of a multi-state cooperative society shall, unless it is expressed to come into operation on a particular day, come into force on the day on which it is registered."
Two rules come out of this:
- Default. The amendment takes effect on the day of registration, not on the date of the general meeting and not on the date of the application.
- Different date. If the amendment itself is "expressed to come into operation on a particular day", that day governs.
The registration step is in section 11, where the amendment is valid only once registered; see Section 11. Section 12 does not say whether a particular day may be earlier than the day of registration; it is silent on that.
Section 13: change of name
Sub-section (1). "A multi-state cooperative society may, by an amendment of its bye-laws, change its name but such change shall not affect any right or obligation of the multi-state cooperative society or of any of its members or past members, and any legal proceedings which might have been continued or commenced by or against the multi-state cooperative society by its former name, may be continued or commence by or against its new name."
Sub-section (2). "Where a multi-state cooperative society changes its name, the Central Registrar shall enter the new name on the register of multi-state cooperative society in place of former name and shall amend the certificate of registration accordingly."
How it works in order:
- The society amends its bye-laws to give itself a new name, following section 11.
- The Central Registrar registers the amendment.
- The Registrar enters the new name on the register and amends the certificate of registration (s.13(2)).
- Rights, obligations and proceedings carry on; suits may be continued or commenced by or against the new name.
The name must still carry the word "limited" or its Indian-language equivalent if the society has limited liability (s.5(2)), and it must be displayed on the society's premises, seal and papers (s.15), so the change also means repainting signboards and reprinting letterheads; see Sections 15-16. The sub-section has a printing slip, "may be continued or commence by or against its new name", which is quoted as printed.
Section 14: Address
As amended in 2023, section 14 reads, with the substituted words: "Every multi-State co-operative society shall have principal place of business and an address, including e-mail address, registered in the manner prescribed to which all notices and communications may be sent."
The 2023 Amendment Act (section 5 of that Act) did two things: it replaced the marginal heading "Change of address" with "Address", and it replaced the word "address" with "address, including e-mail address,". The section still speaks of an address "registered in the manner prescribed"; the manner is left to rules. The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Rules, 2023 were notified on 4 August 2023 (G.S.R. 591(E)), and the consolidated Rules should be checked.
The section now has two effects:
- A fixed point for notices. All notices and communications may be sent to the registered address, including the e-mail address.
- Principal place of business. Every society must have one, and the bye-laws state it (s.10(2)(zi)). Section 10(2)(a) also lists "address, including e-mail address" as a bye-law matter; see Section 10.
The section does not say what happens when the address changes, beyond requiring that the address be registered in the manner prescribed.
What the 2023 Amendment Act changed
| Provision | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Section 12 | As printed above | No change |
| Section 13(1) and (2) | As printed above | No change |
| Section 14 heading | "Change of address" | "Address" |
| Section 14 text | "an address registered in the manner prescribed" | "an address, including e-mail address, registered in the manner prescribed" |
A practical example
Rajmata Silk Co-operative, an invented multi-State society, decides to rename itself "Rajmata Weavers Co-operative Society Limited". A general meeting passes the bye-law amendment (section 11), the Registrar registers it on 14 July and the amendment, which names no particular day, comes into force on that day (section 12). The Registrar enters the new name on the register and amends the certificate (section 13(2)). A recovery suit that the society had filed in its old name continues in the new name (section 13(1)). The society also updates its registered address and e-mail address under section 14 so that notices reach the right desk.
An overview of the Act as a whole is in the complete guide.
Need help with a name or address change?
Name changes touch the certificate, signboards, bank records and ongoing cases at the same time. A legal consultation can help you plan the bye-law amendment and the updates that follow.
Key takeaways
- An amendment takes effect on registration unless it names a particular day (s.12).
- A name change by bye-law amendment leaves rights, obligations and proceedings untouched (s.13(1)).
- The Central Registrar enters the new name and amends the certificate (s.13(2)).
- Section 14 now covers the principal place of business and a registered address "including e-mail address".
- Sections 12 and 13 were not amended in 2023.
Read next
- Section 11: amendment of bye-laws, procedure and registration
- Sections 15-16: publication of name and liability
- Section 10: bye-laws of a multi-State co-operative society
- Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002: complete guide
Disclaimer: Based on the Ministry of Cooperation copy of the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 read with the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023 (in force from 3 August 2023), as consulted on 2 October 2026. The Multi-State Co-operative Societies Rules, 2002 as amended, later notifications and later amendments are not covered and should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.