What happened (NGRA 2026 nomination invitation)
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) invited nominations for the National Gopal Ratna Award (NGRA) 2026. NGRA 2026 is conferred under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), which aims to conserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific manner.
The government stated that NGRA has been conferred every year since 2021 to recognize and encourage efforts of dairy farmers, dairy cooperative societies/milk producer companies/FPOs, and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs).
NGRA 2026 nomination categories are:
Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breedsBest Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS) / Milk producer Company (MPC) / Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)
In addition, NGRA includes a Special Award for North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States to encourage and boost dairy development activities in these States/Union Territories. The government stated that a Special Award is provided in each of the categories above.