Co-operative bank definition limits RBI licensing to state, central or primary co-operative banks, excluding other co-operative societies. Section 56(cciia) defines co-operative society as a society registered under Central or State co-operative laws. The statutory concept of co-operative bank is limited to state, central and primary co-operative banks; only such qualifying co-operative banks, as understood with the NABARD Act, may be treated as banking companies and obtain a licence under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act.