Sarkari Yojana
National Gopal Ratna Award
About National Gopal Ratna Award
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, runs the “National Gopal Ratna Award” to push farmers toward scientifically boosting the productivity of indigenous milch-animal breeds, to get Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians working toward 100% AI coverage under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), and to spur growth and competitiveness among dairy cooperatives and milk-producer companies. Winners — dairy farmers, dairy organisations, and AI technicians — receive certificates of merit, mementoes, and cash prizes. DAHD itself implements the scheme, giving out 12 awards a year across 3 categories. Agencies such as the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) screen, verify, and shortlist applications, while DAHD-appointed committees make the final selections. Winners are announced on 25th November, and the awards themselves are presented on National Milk Day, 26th November. > Objective:
- To push farmers toward scientifically enhancing the productivity of indigenous milch-animal breeds.
- To encourage Artificial Insemination Technicians toward achieving 100% AI coverage under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM).
- To motivate Cooperative and Milk Producer Companies to grow and develop a competitive spirit.
Scheme Overview
Central Government
Ministry of Fisheries,Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Business Entity, Individual
Scheme Details
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for National Gopal Ratna Award, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
For Dairy Farmers - The applicant must be…
For Dairy Farmers
The applicant must be rearing recognised indigenous breeds.
These must come from within the list of 53 cattle breeds or 20 buffalo breeds.
For Dairy Cooperative Societies / FPO / MPC…
For Dairy Cooperative Societies / FPO / MPC
The applicant organisation must be involved in dairy-related activities.
It must be registered either under the Cooperative Societies Act or the Companies Act.
It must function at the village level.
Outside NER states, it must collect at least 100 litres of milk daily and count at least 50 farmer members.
Within NER states, it must collect at least 20 litres of milk daily and count at least 20 farmer members.
For Artificial Insemination Technicians (AIT) - The applicant…
For Artificial Insemination Technicians (AIT)
The applicant must be affiliated with a State/UT Livestock Development Board, Milk Federation, NGO, or private organisation.
The applicant must have finished at least 90 days of AI training.
Benefits Provided
National Gopal Ratna Award provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:
In each of the three categories above, the…
In each of the three categories above, the National Gopal Ratna Award 2025 goes to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rank holders, plus a special award for North Eastern Region (NER) states. For the first two categories -- Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPC -- this includes a Certificate of merit, a memento, and a cash prize, structured as:
₹ 5,00,000/- (Rupees five lakh only) for 1st rank
₹ 3,00,000/- (Rupees three lakh only) for 2nd rank
₹ 2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakh only) for 3rd rank
₹ 2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakh only) as the Special Award for the North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States (Uttarakhand, J&K, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh).
For the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category,…
For the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, the National Gopal Ratna Award-2025 comes only as a Certificate of Merit and a memento -- no cash prize is given under this category. No. of Awardees: 12 awards are handed out annually, 4 per category. Expected Time of Disbursement: Awards are presented on 26th November, National Milk Day.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
Identity proof, for individual applicants such as farmers…
Identity proof, for individual applicants such as farmers or AITs
Registration proof for organisations, applicable to Cooperative Societies/MPC/FPO…
Registration proof for organisations, applicable to Cooperative Societies/MPC/FPO registered under the Cooperative Societies Act/Companies Act
Proof that indigenous breeds are being maintained, for…
Proof that indigenous breeds are being maintained, for dairy farmers
Milk collection records showing daily collection capacity as…
Milk collection records showing daily collection capacity as per the eligibility criteria
Details of farmer/milk-producer membership, for organisations
Details of farmer/milk-producer membership, for organisations
AI training certificate covering at least 90 days,…
AI training certificate covering at least 90 days, for the AIT category
Proof of employment or association with the relevant…
Proof of employment or association with the relevant body, for AITs linked to State/UT Boards, Milk Federations, NGOs, or private organisations
Any other supporting documents needed for verification by…
Any other supporting documents needed for verification by the Screening Committee/NDDB/DAHD during field verification or evaluation
How to Apply
Online Application
Applicants can apply for National Gopal Ratna Award through the online application process outlined below.
Go to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)…
Go to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Awards Portal.
Register on the portal, or log in if…
Register on the portal, or log in if you already have an account.
Complete the application form listed under the National…
Complete the application form listed under the National Gopal Ratna Award category.
Submit your application through the portal
Submit your application through the portal.
Selection Process:
Applications submitted on the MHA website undergo an initial screening by the Quality Council of India (QCI) or another agency engaged for the purpose, which scores each application against DAHD's evaluation card and puts forward the top 20 entries per category to the DAHD-constituted Award Screening Committee. NDDB, or another agency named by DAHD, then conducts field visits/verification for every shortlisted application.
The DAHD Award Screening Committee narrows this down to the strongest applicants (ideally 5 per category) and forwards them to the National Award Committee (NAC).
Where necessary, the Committee can arrange physical verification or request live video footage, drawing on Central/state/NDDB officials or an outside agency, and may ask for whatever documentary proof it needs for screening -- with related costs met from the RGM scheme's budget.
The Committee sets its own methodology and screening criteria and keeps candidate selections confidential until awardees are formally announced.
The Screening Committee retains the right to reject applications and to determine how many awardees to recommend.
Non-official Committee members are entitled to TA/DA under the General Finance Rules.
Ceremony Details:
i. The Hon'ble Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying announces the awardees in every category on 25th November.
ii. The award ceremony itself takes place on National Milk day, 26th November.
iii. Depending on availability, the awards are presented by the Hon'ble Prime Minister or the Hon'ble DAHD Minister.
Objectives
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Exclusions / Who Is Not Eligible
- Veterinary Doctors are not eligible for the AIT category.
Official Application & Website
Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.