Madhya Pradesh government runs Gopal Incentive Scheme (Gopal Protsahan Yojana) to reward cattle farmers who rear Indian improved breed cows and produce more milk. Cash prizes go up to ₹2 lakh at state level, and the contests are held every year between October and December by Animal Husbandry Department.
Prize money starts at ₹5,000 in block level contests and rises with each stage. As per the official scheme page on MP CM Helpline portal, last updated on 20 May 2026, the scheme is running and the prize structure stays the same for 2026.
Gopal Incentive Scheme 2026 Details
Animal Husbandry Department of Madhya Pradesh runs this reward scheme so that cattle farmers keep desi improved breed cows and get an extra income source. Male calves born from these cows are useful for farming work, and milk output of the state goes up as more farmers keep good breed cows. Anyone in the state who owns an Indian improved breed cow can join the contest, whether they live in a village or a city.
Contests happen in three stages. Block level contests are held by the Deputy Director of Veterinary Services with a committee headed by the Chief Executive Officer of Janpad Panchayat. District level contests are run by a committee headed by the Chief Executive Officer of Zila Panchayat, and the district Deputy Director of Agriculture sits in that committee as a member. State level prizes are picked by a committee formed by the Director of Animal Husbandry.
How to Apply for Gopal Incentive Scheme
Application is offline only. There is no online form for this scheme, so cattle farmers have to reach out to the local office. Steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Go to the office of the Chief Executive Officer, District Panchayat, or the nearest veterinary hospital of the Animal Husbandry Department in your block and ask for the Gopal Protsahan Yojana entry form.
STEP 2 - Fill the form with your name, village, block, district, bank account details and information about your cow, like breed and daily milk yield. Paste a recent passport size photo and sign the form.
STEP 3 - Attach self attested copies of your ID proof, address proof and cattle ownership proof, then submit the form to the same office before the date told by the block office.
STEP 4 - Take a receipt with the submission date and reference number. Milk yield of your cow is checked on the contest day in front of the committee, and winners are picked from that reading.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Gopal Incentive Scheme (Gopal Protsahan Yojana) |
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Main Department | Animal Husbandry Department, Madhya Pradesh |
| Eligible People | Cattle farmers of all categories owning Indian improved breed cows |
| Benefit | Cash prizes from ₹5,000 up to ₹2 lakh |
| Contest Period | October to December every year |
| Application Mode | Offline through block or district office |
| Area Covered | Urban and rural both |
Prize Money Under the Scheme
Prizes are given at three levels and the amount goes up at each stage. Block level winners get ₹10,000 for first place, ₹7,500 for second and ₹5,000 for third. District level winners get ₹50,000 for first place, ₹25,000 for second and ₹15,000 for third, plus seven consolation prizes of ₹5,000 each, which comes to ₹35,000 in total.
At state level, the first prize is ₹2 lakh, second is ₹1 lakh and third is ₹50,000. Seven consolation prizes of ₹10,000 each are also given, adding up to ₹70,000. Apart from prize money, the department gives ₹10,000 at block level and ₹50,000 at district level for holding the contest, fodder and water for the animals, transport and arrangements for the cattle farmers who come.
Who Can Apply
Rules for joining are simple and open to all categories of cattle farmers in the state. Check the points below before filling the form.
- You must be a resident of Madhya Pradesh and keep cattle at your home or farm.
- You must own an Indian improved breed cow, such as Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar or a similar desi breed, since crossbred and foreign breed cows are not the focus of this contest.
- There is no income limit or caste condition, and both village and city cattle farmers can take part.
Documents Required
Keep these papers ready with the form so the block office does not send you back.
- Aadhaar card or any other valid photo ID of the cattle farmer.
- Address proof showing you live in Madhya Pradesh, like a voter ID, ration card or electricity bill.
- Proof of cow ownership, such as a cattle ear tag number, purchase receipt or a letter from the local veterinary officer.
- Bank passbook copy for prize money payment and two passport size photos.
Contact and Help
For any doubt about entry dates or contest rules, contact the Deputy Director of Veterinary Services in your district, or the nearest government veterinary hospital. Complaints and questions about the scheme can also be raised on Madhya Pradesh CM Helpline number 181, which works for all state schemes.
Cattle farmers who want loan support along with this prize scheme can look at Kisan Credit Card (Pashupalan) for animal husbandry, and those planning to buy a dairy unit can check Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Kamdhenu Yojana. Free training options are listed under Training on Artificial Insemination for Self-Employment.
References
Gopal Protsahan Yojana official scheme page on MP CM Helpline
Animal Husbandry Department scheme list, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh government schemes portal
FAQ's
Is Gopal Incentive Scheme still running in 2026?
Yes. The official scheme page of MP CM Helpline was last updated on 20 May 2026 and shows the scheme as a running state scheme with the same prize amounts.
When are the contests held?
Contests are held every year between October and December at block, district and state level. Block offices tell the exact dates before the contest.
What is the biggest prize?
State level first prize is ₹2 lakh. Second prize is ₹1 lakh and third is ₹50,000, with seven consolation prizes of ₹10,000 each.
Can it be applied online?
No. Entry is offline only. The form has to be collected and submitted at the District Panchayat CEO office or the block veterinary office.
Which cows are counted?
Only Indian improved breed cows, like Gir, Sahiwal and Tharparkar type desi breeds, are counted for the milk yield contest.
How are winners picked?
Milk yield of the cow is measured on the contest day before a government committee, and ranks are given as per the recorded output.
How is prize money paid?
Prize money is paid to the winner's bank account, so a correct passbook copy must be attached with the form.
Is there any fee to join?
No fee is charged for joining the contest under this scheme.