National Gopal Ratna Award

The scheme “National Gopal Ratna Award” has been launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India. aims to motivate farmers to enhance the productivity of indigenous milch animal breeds scientifically, encourage Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians for 100% AI coverage under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), and promote growth and competitiveness among dairy cooperatives and milk producer companies. Through this scheme, awards including certificates of merit, mementoes, and monetary prizes are provided to dairy farmers, dairy organisations, and AI technicians. The scheme is implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). A total of 12 awards are given annually across 3 categories. The applications are screened, verified, and shortlisted through agencies like the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Final selection is carried out by designated committees constituted by DAHD. The awardees are announced on 25th November and awarded on National Milk Day (26th November).

Objective:

• To motivate farmers to take up the productivity enhancement of indigenous breeds of milch animals in a scientific manner.
• To motivate Artificial Insemination Technicians to take up 100% AI coverage, under Rashtriya Gokul Mission ( RGM).
• To motivate Cooperative and Milk producer Companies to grow and to instill competitive spirit.

1. The National Gopal Ratna Award 2025 will be conferred to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and one special Award for the North Eastern Region(NER) states in each of the above 3 categories. It will consist of a Certificate of merit, a memento and a monetary prize in the first two categories, i.e., Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCs, as under:

• ₹ 5,00,000/- (Rupee five lakh only) - 1st rank
• ₹ 3,00,000/- (Rupee three lakh only) - 2nd rank
• ₹ 2,00,000/- (Rupee two lakh only) - 3rd rank
• ₹ 2,00,000/- (Rupee two lakh only) -Special Award for North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States (Uttarakhand, J&K, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh).

1. In the case of the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, the National Gopal Ratna Award-2025 will consist of a Certificate of Merit and a memento only. No cash prize will be provided in the Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) Category.

No. of Awardees: A total of 12 awards are given each year (4 awards in each Category).

Expected Time of Disbursement: Awards are conferred on 26th November (National Milk Day).

1. For Dairy Farmers

• The applicant should be maintaining recognised indigenous breeds.
• The applicant should be maintaining breeds out of 53 cattle breeds or 20 buffalo breeds.

1. For Dairy Cooperative Societies / FPO / MPC

• The applicant organisation should be engaged in dairy activities.
• The applicant should be registered under the Cooperative Societies Act or the Companies Act.
• The applicant should be operating at the village level.
• The applicant should collect at least 100 litres of milk per day and have at least 50 farmer members (for Non-NER states).
• The applicant should collect at least 20 litres of milk per day and have at least 20 farmer members (for NER states).

1. For Artificial Insemination Technicians (AIT)

• The applicant should be associated with State/UT Livestock Development Boards, Milk Federations, NGOs, or private organisations.
• The applicant should have completed a minimum of 90 days of AI training.

• Veterinary Doctors are not eligible for the AIT category.

Online

Step 1: The applicant should visit the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Awards Portal.
Step 2: The applicant should register/log in on the portal.
Step 3: The applicant should fill out the application form under the National Gopal Ratna Award category.
Step 4: The applicant should submit the application online.

Selection Process:

• The applications received at the MHA website will be preliminarily screened by the Quality Council of India (QCI) or any other agency hired. The agency will score the applications as per the evaluation/score card provided by DAHD and recommend the best 20 applications in each category to the Award Screening Committee constituted by DAHD. Field visit /verification of all shortlisted applications will be undertaken through NDDB/any other agency identified by DAHD.
• The Award Screening Committee, DAHD, shall sort out the best applicants (preferably 5 in each category) and recommend the same to the National Award Committee (NAC).
• The Committee may, if required, carry out physical verification/ seek live video footage, by involving Central/state/NDDB officials or hire an external agency. The Committee may, in its satisfaction, seek document proofs necessary for screening. For this purpose, the expenditure will be met from the budget provision of the RGM scheme.
• The Committee shall decide the methodology and criteria for screening. The Committee shall maintain the confidentiality of the selection of candidates for awards till the names of awardees are announced officially.
• The Screening Committee shall reserve the right to reject the application and decide on the number of awardees to be recommended.
• The Non-Official members of the Screening Committee shall be entitled to TA/DA as per General Finance Rules.

Ceremony Details:

i. The announcement of the names of the awardees in each category shall be announced by Hon'ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & dairying on 25th November.

ii. The award ceremony will be held on National Milk day, 26th November.

iii. Hon'ble Prime Minister/ Hon'ble DAHD Minister to present the awards as per availability.