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Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

At a glance

Rashtriya Gokul Mission has run since December 2014 to develop and conserve India's indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds and raise milk productivity. It was restructured in July 2021 with Rs 2,400 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26. In March 2025, the Cabinet approved a revised RGM with an extra Rs 1,000 crore, taking the total to Rs 3,400 crore for the same period, and added two new components: heifer rearing centres and interest support for buying high genetic merit (HGM) IVF heifers. Most of the mission works through state agencies, but several benefits reach farmers directly.

Who is eligible

  • All cattle and buffalo keepers — small and marginal farmers are the main target
  • Farmers wanting IVF pregnancies or sex-sorted semen for their animals
  • Entrepreneurs and agencies setting up breed multiplication farms or heifer rearing centres

Benefits

  • Free artificial insemination (AI) at your doorstep under the Nationwide AI Programme, using quality semen from high-merit bulls.
  • Rs 5,000 subsidy per assured IVF pregnancy (Government of India share) under the accelerated breed improvement programme.
  • Up to 50% subsidy on the cost of sex-sorted semen, which raises the chance of a female calf to about 90%.
  • Breed multiplication farms: 50% capital subsidy, up to Rs 2 crore, for entrepreneurs setting up scientific breeding farms.
  • New from 2025: 35% one-time capital assistance for heifer rearing centres (via implementing agencies), and 3% interest subvention on loans farmers take to buy HGM IVF heifers.
  • Other components (semen stations, DNA-based selection, training) run on 100% central grant through implementing agencies.

How to apply

  • For AI, IVF, and sex-sorted semen: contact your local veterinary officer, AI technician (MAITRI), or district animal husbandry office — services are delivered through the state animal husbandry department.
  • For breed multiplication farm or heifer rearing centre subsidies: apply through the DAHD/state implementing agency as per the operational guidelines (proposal-based).
  • There is no single self-service farmer portal; the entry point is your state department.

Documents required

  • Aadhaar and bank account details
  • Animal details (ear-tag/Pashu Aadhaar number where tagged)
  • For entrepreneur components: project report, land papers, and company/FPO documents — confirm on the official guidelines

Key dates & status

  • Started December 2014; restructured July 2021
  • Revised with enhanced outlay (Rs 3,400 crore total) approved March 2025, valid through 2025-26
  • Revised operational guidelines issued June 2025

Common questions

Q: Is artificial insemination really free? Yes — AI services under the Nationwide AI Programme are delivered free at the farmer's doorstep in covered areas.

Q: What is sex-sorted semen and why use it? It is semen processed so most calves born are female — meaning more future milch animals and fewer unwanted male calves. The government pays up to half the cost.

Q: I want a high-yield cow through IVF. What help is there? Rs 5,000 per assured IVF pregnancy, plus 3% interest subvention if you take a loan to buy a high genetic merit IVF heifer.

Q: Does RGM cover buffaloes? Yes, both indigenous cattle and buffaloes are covered.

Sources: https://dahd.gov.in/schemes/programmes/rashtriya_gokul_mission, https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2112788, https://dahd.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-06/FinalOperationalGuidelinesforRevisedRashtriyaGokulMission-v1-4-6-2025.pdf. Last verified: 2026-08-07. Always confirm current details on the official portal before acting.