- Why in news
- On 18 March 2026 the Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Ministry told the Lok Sabha that 11 of 14 Rashtriya Gokul Mission components met their targets, while IVF and bull import lagged.
- What it is
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) is a Central scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, begun in December 2014. It aims to develop and conserve indigenous bovine breeds and raise milk productivity through breed improvement. It works through artificial insemination, progeny testing, sex-sorted semen, IVF and breed multiplication farms.
- Start
- The mission has been running since December 2014, with all States and UTs taking part.
- Targets met
- Targets were achieved for 11 of the 14 components approved by the CCEA.
- Lagging components
- Bulls through embryos, import of bulls and IVF technology fell short because of poor farmer acceptance owing to high cost.
- MAITRIs
- MAITRIs are Multi-Purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India who deliver AI at the farmer's doorstep; 42,096 were inducted in three years.
- Milk output
- Milk production rose from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25.
- Breed multiplication farms
- 132 breed multiplication farms have been sanctioned, preferably for indigenous breeds.
Don’t confuse with Rashtriya Gokul Mission vs National Livestock Mission: RGM focuses on indigenous bovine breeding and milk productivity. National Livestock Mission covers wider livestock development, such as feed, fodder and small ruminants.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Raises milk yield and farmer income through better breeds and doorstep AI.
- Conserves indigenous cattle breeds.
Problems
- High cost of IVF and imported bulls limits farmer uptake.
- AI target of 165 million animals was missed (152.90 million achieved).
Way forward
- Spread low-cost indigenous IVF media and train technicians.
- Strengthen MAITRI network and semen station quality.
Put in your answer
Milk production: Milk output rose 69.41% from 146.3 to 247.87 million tonnes (2014-15 to 2024-25).
Per capita availability: Per capita milk availability rose 52.03% to 485 grams per day.
- 2015Mains GS3 · Q2Discuss measures to promote livestock rearing for rural non-farm employment in India.
- 2013Mains GS3 · Q6Critically elucidate strengthening measures for pink revolution in food industry.
- 2025Prelims Q30Which statements on RGM's aims and beneficiaries are correct?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM): 1. It has been implemented since December 2014, with all States and Union Territories participating. 2. Targets have been achieved for all 14 components approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. 3. Low achievement in IVF technology under the scheme is attributed to its high cost and poor farmer acceptance. 4. MAITRIs are technicians who deliver artificial insemination services at the farmer's doorstep.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Rashtriya Gokul Mission has been implemented since December 2014.
True. It began in December 2014.
2.Targets have been achieved for all 14 components approved by the CCEA.
False. Targets were achieved for 11 of 14 components.
3.Low achievement in IVF technology under the scheme is attributed to its high cost and poor farmer acceptance.
True. High cost reduced acceptability among farmers.
4.MAITRIs are technicians trained to deliver artificial insemination services at the farmer's doorstep.
True. MAITRI stands for Multi-Purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India.
5.Per capita milk availability rose from 319 grams per day in 2014-15 to 485 grams per day in 2024-25.
True. 319 to 485 grams per day, a 52.03% rise.
6.Milk production rose from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25.
True. This is a rise of 69.41%.
7.The scheme is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
False. It is run by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying).
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.