Section 50 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.
Section 50 says who calls a board meeting, how often the board must meet, who presides and how many directors make a quorum. In 2023 it gained two provisos that let the Vice-Chairperson or other Members force a meeting, a new rule on who presides, and a quorum of one-third of the elected directors. This article states it as per the Ministry of Cooperation copy of the Act read with the Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023.
The Chief Executive convenes board meetings at the instance of the chairperson or president, and the board must meet at least once in every quarter. If the Chairperson or President fails to direct a meeting within the quarter, the Chief Executive must convene it on a requisition of the Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President or any other Member; the Chief Executive may also convene on requisition from at least fifty per cent. of Members. The quorum is one-third of the total number of elected directors.
Section 50(1): convening, and the two 2023 provisos
The principal text reads: "The Chief Executive shall convene the meetings of the board at the instance of the chairperson or president of the multi-state cooperative society." The 2023 Amendment Act (Act 11 of 2023, in force from 3 August 2023 by notification S.O. 3493(E)) adds two provisos:
- "Provided that where such Chairperson or President fails to direct the Chief Executive to convene the meeting of the board within the quarter, such Chief Executive shall convene the meeting on the basis of requisition of the Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President or any other Member of the board:"
- "Provided further that notwithstanding anything contained in the first proviso, the Chief Executive may also convene the meeting on the basis of requisition from at least fifty per cent. of Members of the board;"
The first proviso uses "shall", so a requisition by the Vice-Chairperson, Vice-President or any other Member obliges the Chief Executive to convene, but only where the Chairperson or President has failed to give the direction within the quarter. The second proviso uses "may", and it opens "notwithstanding anything contained in the first proviso": a requisition signed by at least fifty per cent. of the Members of the board is a separate route, and it is not stated to depend on the Chairperson's failure.
Two points the Act leaves open: it does not say how the requisition is made (written or otherwise) or how soon after it the Chief Executive must act. The first proviso refers to "Members of the board" with a capital in the gazette text, and does not say whether nominated directors count towards "fifty per cent." Rules, if any, should be checked; amendment rules were notified on 4 August 2023 (G.S.R. 591(E)) and the consolidated Rules should be checked.
If a Chief Executive refuses a lawful requisition, the board may need advice on its next step. Our legal consultation team can look at the record and the bye-laws.
Section 50(2): number of meetings, venue, invitees
"The total number of meetings of the board in a year and the venue of meetings as may be specified in the bye-laws." Then two provisos:
- "Provided that the board shall meet at least once in every quarter."
- "Provided further that not more than two persons may be invited by the board in its meetings."
The sub-section as printed has no verb in its main sentence ("as may be specified in the bye-laws" follows the subject directly); we flag it as printed and read it to mean that the bye-laws specify the number of meetings and the venue. The quarterly proviso sets the floor, and the first new proviso to sub-section (1) is keyed to the same "quarter". Sub-section (2) was not amended.
Section 50(3): who presides
As substituted in 2023: "The Chairperson or President, if for any reason, is unable to attend a meeting of the board, the Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President and in the absence of both, any other Member of the board chosen by the Members of the board present from amongst themselves at the meeting, shall preside over the meeting."
The order is therefore: the Chairperson or President; then the Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President; and, if both are absent, any other Member chosen by the Members present from amongst themselves. The printed sentence does not say in terms that the Chairperson or President presides when present; that is implied by the words "if ... unable to attend". The old text had no step for the Vice-Chairperson.
Section 50(4): quorum
New sub-section (4): "The quorum for a meeting of the board of directors of a multi-State co-operative society shall be one-third of its total number of elected directors."
| Elected directors | One-third |
|---|---|
| Nine | Three |
| Twelve | Four |
| Twenty-one (outer limit of the board under section 41, as amended) | Seven |
The base is "total number of elected directors", so co-opted and nominated directors are not in the count. The Act does not say what happens if the number does not divide evenly by three. The text does not say whether a meeting without a quorum may be adjourned.
What the 2023 Amendment Act changed
| Provision | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| s.50(1) | Chief Executive convenes at the instance of the chairperson or president | Two provisos: requisition by the Vice-Chairperson, Vice-President or another Member where the Chairperson or President fails to direct within the quarter; requisition by at least fifty per cent. of Members |
| s.50(3) | "The Chairperson, or if for any reason, he is unable to attend a meeting of the board, any other member of the board chosen by the members of the board present from amongst themselves at the meeting, shall preside" | The Vice-Chairperson or Vice-President presides in the absence of the Chairperson or President; in the absence of both, any other Member chosen by those present |
| s.50(4) | No quorum provision in section 50 | Quorum one-third of total number of elected directors |
A practical example
Sahyog Multi-State Co-operative Society has nine elected directors. The Chairperson does not direct the Chief Executive to call a meeting for the quarter. The Vice-Chairperson sends a requisition and the Chief Executive convenes the meeting. The Chairperson is abroad, so the Vice-Chairperson presides. Three elected directors make the quorum, so a meeting with three elected directors and two invitees can proceed. Under the second proviso to sub-section (2) not more than two persons may be invited by the board, so a third invitee would be outside the Act.
For the size of the board and who counts as an elected director, see our note on the board of directors. For the Chief Executive's duty to convene meetings, see the Chief Executive's powers under section 52. Absence from three consecutive board meetings is a ground of disqualification under section 43(1)(m), unless the board condones it; see disqualifications for being a member of the board.
Need help with board procedure?
A board that wants to fix its meeting calendar, requisition procedure and quorum record against section 50 and its bye-laws can take advice before the next quarter closes. Speak to our legal consultation team about reviewing the minutes and the notice practice.
Key takeaways
- The board must meet at least once in every quarter; the bye-laws fix the number of meetings and the venue.
- If the Chairperson or President fails to direct a meeting in the quarter, the Chief Executive must convene it on a requisition by the Vice-Chairperson, Vice-President or any other Member.
- A requisition from at least fifty per cent. of Members is a further route.
- The Vice-Chairperson presides in the Chairperson's absence; if both are absent, a Member chosen by those present.
- The quorum is one-third of the total number of elected directors.
Read next
- Chief Executive: appointment and eligibility (section 51)
- Powers and functions of the board (section 49)
- Committees of the board (sections 53 and 54)
- 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.