Nominations Invited for National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 Recognising Excellence in Livestock and Dairy Sector

Enteries Open from August 15 to September 15; Awards to be presented on November 26th National Milk Day 

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has announced the opening of nominations for the prestigious National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025—one of the highest national honours in the livestock and dairy sector. The nomination process will commence on August 15th 2025 and close on September 15th 2025. These awards will be presented on the occasion of National Milk Day, celebrated on November 26, 2025 (Detailed eligibility criteria and guidelines are available on https://awards.gov.in & https://dahd.nic.in )

Launched under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in 2021, the National Gopal Ratna Awards aim to encourage excellence among milk-producing farmers, dairy cooperatives, Milk Producer Companies (MPCs), Dairy Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs), with special focus on promoting indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds. Indigenous bovine breeds of India are robust and possess the genetic potential to play a crucial role in the national economy. 

The National Gopal Ratna Awards will be conferred in the following categories:

1. Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds (list of registered breeds Annexed).
2. Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk producer Company (MPC)/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
3. Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).

There is also a  provision of Special award for North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States so as to encourage and boost the dairy development activities in these States/UTs.

NGRA 2025 will be conferred to winners up to 1^st,  2^nd, 3^rd ranks and one Special Award for North Eastern Region(NER)/Himalayan States in each category as mentioned above. NGRA 2025 will consist of a Certificate of merit, a memento and monetary prize in first two categories i.e Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCs as under:

Prizes

For Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/MPC/FPO categories:

• 1st Prize – ₹5,00,000 (Rs. Five Lakh only)

• 2nd Prize – ₹3,00,000 (Rs.Three Lakh only)

• 3rd Prize – ₹2,00,000 ( Rs. Two Lakh only)

• Special Award (NER/Himalayan States) – ₹2,00,000 ( Rs. Two Lakh only)

The Best AIT category will carry a Certificate of Merit and Memento (no cash award).

Annexure

Registered Breeds of Cattle (For NGRA 2025)

Registered Breeds of Buffalo (For NGRA 2025)