National Gopal Ratna Award

Description
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.

Exclusions
• Veterinary Doctors are not eligible for the AIT category.

Benefits
• 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:
• 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.

Eligibility Criteria
1. For Dairy Farmers
2. - The applicant should be maintaining recognised indigenous breeds.
3. - The applicant should be maintaining breeds out of 53 cattle breeds or 20 buffalo breeds.
4. For Dairy Cooperative Societies / FPO / MPC
5. - The applicant organisation should be engaged in dairy activities.
6. - The applicant should be registered under the Cooperative Societies Act or the Companies Act.
7. - The applicant should be operating at the village level.
8. - The applicant should collect at least 100 litres of milk per day and have at least 50 farmer members (for Non-NER states).
9. - The applicant should collect at least 20 litres of milk per day and have at least 20 farmer members (for NER states).
10. For Artificial Insemination Technicians (AIT)
11. - The applicant should be associated with State/UT Livestock Development Boards, Milk Federations, NGOs, or private organisations.
12. - The applicant should have completed a minimum of 90 days of AI training.
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Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The applicant should visit the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Awards Portal.
Online
Step 1: The applicant should visit the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Awards Portal.

Step 2: Step 2: The applicant should register/log in on the portal.
Online
Step 2: The applicant should register/log in on the portal.

Step 3: Step 3: The applicant should fill out the application form under the National Gopal Ratna Award category.
Online
Step 3: The applicant should fill out the application form under the National Gopal Ratna Award category.

Step 4: Step 4: The applicant should submit the application online.
Online
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.

Required Documents
• Proof Of Identity (For Individual Applicants – Farmers/AIT)
• Proof Of Organization Registration (For Cooperative Societies/MPC/FPO Registered Under the Cooperative Societies Act/Companies Act)
• Proof Of Indigenous Breed Maintenance (For Dairy Farmers)
• Milk Collection Records (Showing Daily Collection Capacity As Per Eligibility Criteria)
• Membership Details Of Farmers/Milk Producers (For Organisations)
• Artificial Insemination Training Certificate (Minimum 90 Days, For AIT Category)
• Employment/Association Proof With Relevant Organisation (For AIT – State/UT Boards, Milk Federations, NGOs, Private Organisations)
• Any Supporting Documents For Verification (As Required By Screening Committee/NDDB/DAHD During Field Verification Or Evaluation)

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of the National Gopal Ratna Award?
A: The award aims to motivate farmers to enhance the productivity of indigenous milch breeds scientifically, encourage Artificial Insemination Technicians for 100% AI coverage, and promote competitiveness among dairy cooperatives and milk producer companies.
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Q: Who can apply for the National Gopal Ratna Award?
A: Dairy farmers, Dairy Cooperative Societies/Farmer Producer Organisations/Milk Producer Companies, and Artificial Insemination Technicians can apply under their respective categories.
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Q: Can applicants apply through self-nomination?
A: Yes, self-nomination is allowed for both individuals (farmers and AI technicians) and organisations (DCS/FPO/MPC).
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Q: How many awards are given each year?
A: A total of 12 awards are given annually, with 4 awards in each of the 3 categories.
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Q: What are the monetary benefits under the scheme?
A: For Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPC categories:

- ₹5,00,000 for 1st rank
- ₹3,00,000 for 2nd rank
- ₹2,00,000 for 3rd rank
- ₹2,00,000 as a special award for NER and Himalayan states

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Q: Is there any cash prize for Artificial Insemination Technicians?
A: No, the AIT category receives only a certificate of merit and a memento, with no cash prize.
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Q: What is the minimum eligibility for dairy organizations?
A: Organisations must be registered and engaged in dairy activities, collecting at least 100 litres of milk per day with 50 members (Non-NER states) or 20 litres per day with 20 members (NER states).
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Q: Are Veterinary Doctors eligible for the AIT category?
A: No, Veterinary Doctors are not eligible for the Artificial Insemination Technician category.
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Q: How are the awardees selected?
A: Applications are screened by an agency like QCI, verified through field visits by NDDB or others, and then evaluated by Screening and National Award Committees.
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Q: When are the awards announced and presented?
A: The awardees are announced on 25th November, and the awards are presented on 26th November (National Milk Day).
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