The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying confers the prestigious National Gopal Ratna Awards. It is one of the highest national honours in the livestock and dairy sector. The award ceremony will be held on National Milk day, 26th November. Aim 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. Categories of Awards The National Gopal Ratna Awards will be conferred in the following categories: Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds (list of registered breeds Annexed). Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk producer Company (MPC)/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO). 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 will be conferred to winners up to 1st, 2nd, 3rd ranks and one Special Award for North Eastern Region (NER) / Himalayan States in each category as mentioned above. The award 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: 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). Eligibility Farmers maintaining any of the recognized indigenous breeds out of 53 breed of cattle and 20 breeds of buffaloes shall be eligible to apply for award. A Cooperative society/Milk Producer Company (MPC)/Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) engaged in Dairy activities set up at village level and is registered under Cooperative Societies Act/ Companies Act collecting at least 100 liters of milk per day and having atleast 50 farmer/milk producer member for non-NER States and collecting 20 litres of milk & having 20 farmer members in NER States are eligible to apply. AI technicians of the State/UT Livestock Development Board/State /Milk Federations /NGO's and other private organizations having undergone AI training for a minimum of 90 days shall be eligible to apply for the award. Since, the award is meant for Artificial lnsemination Technician (AIT), the Veterinary Doctors are not eligible for this Award. Application process Self Nomination for individuals is allowed for Best Farmer Dairy and Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT). Self Nomination for organisation is allowed for Best Dairy Cooperative/Milk producer Company/ Dairy Farmer producer Organisation. Nomination can be submitted online at https://awards.gov.in