New Delhi, August : The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has invited online nominations for the National Gopal Ratna Award (NGRA) 2026, one of India's highest national honours in the livestock and dairy sector.

The awards are presented annually under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to recognize outstanding contributions by dairy farmers, dairy institutions, and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs) in promoting indigenous bovine breeds and strengthening the dairy sector.

Launched in December 2014, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission aims to conserve, develop, and improve India's indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds through scientific breeding programmes. Since 2021, the Government has been conferring the National Gopal Ratna Award to encourage excellence and innovation in dairy farming and breeding services.

Award Categories

The National Gopal Ratna Award 2026 will be presented in the following categories:

  • Best Dairy Farmer rearing indigenous cattle or buffalo breeds.
  • Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS), Milk Producer Company (MPC), or Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
  • Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).

To encourage dairy development in difficult geographical regions, a Special Award has also been instituted for participants from the North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States in each category.

Cash Prizes

For the Best Dairy Farmer and Best Dairy Cooperative Society/MPC/FPO categories, winners will receive:

  • First Prize: ₹5 lakh
  • Second Prize: ₹3 lakh
  • Third Prize: ₹2 lakh
  • Special Award (NER/Himalayan States): ₹2 lakh

In addition to the cash awards, winners will receive a Certificate of Merit and a Memento.

For the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, awardees will receive a Certificate of Merit and a Memento. No cash prize has been announced for this category.

Online Nominations

The Ministry stated that nominations can be submitted online only through the National Awards Portal from August 10, 2026, and the last date for submission of applications is September 10, 2026.

The awards will be presented on the occasion of National Milk Day on November 26, 2026.

Interested dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, Milk Producer Companies, Farmer Producer Organizations, and Artificial Insemination Technicians can check detailed eligibility criteria and submission guidelines on the National Awards Portal and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying's official website.

The initiative aims to recognize excellence in indigenous cattle conservation, scientific breeding practices, and sustainable dairy development while encouraging wider participation in India's growing livestock sector.