The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is making all out efforts for the effective development of Animal Husbandry and Dairy sector to provide sustainable livelihood to the farmers. Indigenous bovine breeds of India are robust and possess the genetic potential to play crucial role in the national economy. The “Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)”, was launched in December 2014, with a view to conserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific manner.
Under RGM, since 2021 this department has been conferringNational Gopal Ratna Award (NGRA)every year with an objective to recognize and encourage the efforts of Dairy farmers, dairy cooperative societies/MPC/FPOs andArtificial Insemination Technicians (AITs).This year also nominations are invited forNational Gopal Ratna Award 2026for the following categories:
- Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds ( details are provided in the guideline).
- Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk producer Company (MPC)/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
- Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).
There is a provision ofSpecial award for North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan Statesso as to encourage and boost the dairy development activities in these States/UTs.
NGRA 2026 will be conferred to winners up to 1st,2nd, 3rdranks and one Special Award for North Eastern Region (NER)/Himalayan States in each category as mentioned above.NGRA 2026 will consist of a Certificate of merit, a memento and monitory prize for two categories i.eBest Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCsas under:
- Rs. 5,00,000/-(Rupee five lakh only) for 1st rank
- Rs. 3,00,000/- (Rupee three lakh only) for 2nd rank and
- Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupee two lakh only) for 3rd rank
- Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupee two lakh only) -Special Award for North Eastern Region (NER)/Himalayan States.
In case ofBest Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, National Gopal Ratna Award-2026 will consist of a Certificate of merit and a memento only. No cash prize will be provided in Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) Category.
Nominations for National Gopal Ratna Award during 2026 can be submitted online only through National Award portal i.e.https://awards.gov.instarting from10.08. 2026.Thethe closing date for submission of nomination will be10.09.2026. The awards are to be conferred on the occasion of National Milk Day (26thNov, 2026). For more detail regarding eligibility criteria and guidelines the websitehttps://awards.gov.inOR https://dahd.nic.inmay be referred.
