National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 Announced

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) has officially announced the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2025, one of India’s highest civilian honours in the livestock and dairy sector. The awards will be conferred during the National Milk Day celebrations on 26th November 2025, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, India’s ‘Milkman’. This year, out of 2,081 applications, top performers in three categories—Best Dairy Farmer, Best Dairy Cooperative Society/FPO/MPC, and Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)—have been selected for their outstanding contributions.

About the Awards: Boosting India’s Dairy Excellence

Initiated under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) in 2021, the NGRA aims to,

• Recognize and reward the efforts of dairy farmers and cooperatives
• Promote scientific management of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds
• Encourage innovation and sustainability in milk production and breeding practices
• Strengthen India’s position as the world’s largest milk producer

The awards also spotlight the essential role of Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs) in enhancing genetic quality through advanced breeding services.

Felicitation Ceremony on National Milk Day 2025

The award ceremony will be graced by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) and Ministers of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian. Winners will receive,

• Certificate of Merit
• Memento

Cash Prizes (only in the first two categories),

• ₹5,00,000 for 1st Prize
• ₹3,00,000 for 2nd Prize
• ₹2,00,000 for 3rd Prize
• ₹2,00,000 for NER/Himalayan State Special Awards

The AIT category winners will receive a certificate and memento, but no cash reward.

NGRA 2025 Winners: Full List by Category

1. Best Dairy Farmer Rearing Indigenous Breeds

Non-NER Region

• 1st: Shri Aravind Yashavant Patil (Kolhapur, Maharashtra)
• 2nd: Dr. Kankanala Krishna Reddy (Hyderabad, Telangana)
• 3rd (Joint): Mr. Harshit Jhuria (Sikar, Rajasthan)
• 3rd (Joint): Kumari Shraddha Satyawan Dhavan (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra)

NER/Himalayan States

• Smt. Vijay Lata (Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh)
• Shri Pradeep Pangariya (Champawat, Uttarakhand)

2. Best Dairy Cooperative/FPO/Milk Producer Company

Non-NER Region

• 1st: Meenan Gadi Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Sangham Ltd (Wayanad, Kerala)
• 2nd (Joint): Kunnamkattupathy Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Samgham (Palakkad, Kerala)
• 2nd (Joint): Ghinoi Dugdh Utpadak Sahkari Samiti (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
• 3rd: TYSPL 37 Sendurai Milk Producers Cooperative Society Ltd (Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu)

NER/Himalayan States

• Kulha Duud Udpadhak Sahkari Samiti (Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand)

3. Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)

Non-NER Region

• 1st: Mr. Dillip Kumar Pradhan (Anugul, Odisha)
• 2nd: Mr. Vikas Kumar (Hanumangarh, Rajasthan)
• 3rd: Mrs. Anuradha Chakali (Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh)

NER/Himalayan States

• Mr. Deluwar Hasan (Barpeta, Assam)

Key Static Facts: National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025

• Announced by: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, MoFAHD
• Occasion: National Milk Day – 26th November 2025
• Inception Year: 2021 (under Rashtriya Gokul Mission)
• Total Applications Received: 2,081
• Categories: Best Dairy Farmer, Best DCS/FPO/MPC, Best AIT
• Top Cash Prize: ₹5 lakh for 1st Rank in farmer/cooperative categories
• AIT Category: Certificate and memento only
• Aim: Promote indigenous breeds, dairy innovation, and breeding efficiency