Celebrating Dairy Pioneers: National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025

National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025: A Celebration of Dairy Pioneers

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAHD) has announced the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2025, one of the most prestigious honors in India's livestock and dairy sector. These awards will be presented during the National Milk Day celebrations on November 26, 2025, in honor of Dr. Verghese Kurien, affectionately known as India's 'Milkman'.

Recognizing Excellence in Dairy

With over 2,081 applications this year, the awards will acknowledge the top contributors in three categories: Best Dairy Farmer, Best Dairy Cooperative Society/FPO/MPC, and Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT). These winners have been selected for their remarkable contributions to the industry.

About the Awards: Promoting Dairy Innovation

Launched under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in 2021, the NGRA is designed 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
• Solidify India's position as the global leader in milk production

The awards also highlight the critical role of Artificial Insemination Technicians in improving genetic quality through advanced breeding services.

Felicitation Ceremony Highlights

The awards ceremony will be attended by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) and Ministers of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian. Winners in the first two categories will receive a Certificate of Merit, a memento, and cash prizes:

• ₹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

Winners in the AIT category will be awarded a certificate and a memento without a cash prize.

NGRA 2025 Winners by Category

Best Dairy Farmer Rearing Indigenous Breeds

• 1st: Shri Aravind Yashavant Patil (Kolhapur, Maharashtra)
• 2nd: Dr. Kankanala Krishna Reddy (Hyderabad, Telangana)
• 3rd (Joint): Mr. Harshit Jhuria (Sikar, Rajasthan) & Kumari Shraddha Satyawan Dhavan (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra)
• NER/Himalayan States: Smt. Vijay Lata (Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh) & Shri Pradeep Pangariya (Champawat, Uttarakhand)

Best Dairy Cooperative/FPO/Milk Producer Company

• 1st: Meenan Gadi Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Sangham Ltd (Wayanad, Kerala)
• 2nd (Joint): Kunnamkattupathy Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Samgham (Palakkad, Kerala) & 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)

Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)

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