26 Nov National Milk Day 2025: India’s Dairy Revolution and the Road to Global Leadership
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and From National Milk Day 2025: India’s Dairy Revolution and the Road to Global Leadership
SYLLABUS MAPPING
GS-3- Agriculture & Allied Sectors– National Milk Day 2025: India’s Dairy Revolution and the Road to Global Leadership
FOR PRELIMS
What are the key goals of White Revolution 2.0, and why are they important for the dairy industry?
FOR MAINS
What is the significance of National Milk Day 2025, and how does it reflect India’s progress in the dairy sector?
Why in the News?
National Milk Day is being celebrated across India on 26 November 2025 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution. The day highlights the pivotal role of India’s 8 crore dairy farmers, especially women, in sustaining the country’s position as the world’s largest milk producer, contributing nearly one-fourth of global output. This year’s observance gains significance as India records a 70% growth in its dairy sector over the last 11 years, with the sector contributing around 5% to GDP and emerging as a powerful engine of women-led rural development.
Historical Trajectory of India’s Dairy Sector
| Phase | Key Features / Events | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-White Revolution Challenges (1950–1970) | – Post-independence milk shortages; dependence on imports. – Low productivity despite world’s largest cattle population. – Weak veterinary services and fragmented markets. – Milk production growth slow: 1.64% CAGR in 1950s, 1.15% in 1960s. |
– India remained a milk-deficient nation. – Limited income generation for rural households. – Stagnant dairy economy. |
| Rise of the Cooperative Model | – Emergence of the Anand model under Sardar Patel, Tribhuvandas Patel, and Dr. Kurien. – 1965: NDDB established to replicate cooperative success. – 1970: Launch of Operation Flood. – Created: village dairy cooperatives, national milk grid, and efficient procurement–processing–marketing chain. |
– Enabled large-scale rural participation. – Streamlined supply chains. – Improved milk availability and farmer incomes. – By late 1990s, India became the world’s largest milk producer. |
| Institutional Strengthening | – 1987: NDDB declared an Institution of National Importance. | – Strengthened governance and capacity building in the dairy sector. – Supported sustained growth and modernization. |
India’s Dairy Progress in the Last Decade
1. Rapid Growth in Production and Availability: Milk output increased from 146.3 million tonnes (2014-15) to 239.3 million tonnes (2023-24) — a surge of 63.56%. Per capita milk availability rose from 124 grams to 471 grams/day.
2. Improved Bovine Productivity: India’s 303.76 million bovines (cattle, buffalo, mithun, yak) form the backbone of its dairy wealth. Productivity increased 27.39% (2014–2022) — the highest globally, compared to the world average of 13.97%.
3. Indigenous Breeds Making a Comeback: Indigenous cow milk production grew from 29 million tonnes to 50 million tonnes. The number of milch animals increased from 86 million to 112 million.
4. Livestock Health & Ayurveda Integration: Programmes like LHDCP, ethno-veterinary medicine (EVM), and vaccination drives have helped reduce disease burden and dependence on antibiotics.
Progress under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)
| Component | Details / Achievements | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Overview | – Launched in 2014, revised in 2025. – Allocation: ₹3,400 crore (2021–2026). – Objectives: conservation of indigenous breeds, genetic improvement, productivity enhancement. |
– Strengthened long-term sustainability of India’s dairy sector. – Boosted productivity of native breeds. |
| Overall Achievements | – 92 million animals benefited. – 56 million farmers supported. – Strengthening of semen stations. – Expansion of AI infrastructure. |
– Improved breed quality and milk yield. – Direct benefits to small and marginal farmers. |
| Artificial Insemination (AI) Coverage | – Current AI coverage: 33% of breedable bovines (still low; high future potential). | – Scope for rapid productivity gains in coming years. |
| National AI Programme (NAIP) | – Free doorstep AI services for farmers. – 9.16 crore animals covered. – 14.12 crore inseminations performed. – 22 IVF labs established. – 1 crore sex-sorted semen doses produced. |
– Higher share of female calves → future milk production growth. – Reduction in unproductive male population. |
| MAITRIs (Rural Technicians) | – 38,736 MAITRIs trained and deployed. – Provide AI + basic veterinary support. – Significant participation of women farmers. |
– Enhanced last-mile service delivery. – Improved access to breeding services in remote villages. |
| Progeny Testing Programme | – 3,747 bulls scientifically evaluated (2021–24). – 132 breed multiplication farms sanctioned. |
– Ensures high genetic merit in future offspring. – Strengthens long-term genetic improvement of bovines. |
National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) key facts (2021-26)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Revision Year | Revised in 2021 for the 2021–26 period |
| Component A: Infrastructure Strengthening | • Milk testing equipment • Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs) • Primary chilling facilities |
| Component B: Dairying through Cooperatives | • Enhancing cooperative capacity • Improving marketing & processing • Modernised dairy plant laboratories |
| Cooperative Network Expansion | • 31,908 dairy cooperatives formed/revived • 17.63 lakh new producers enrolled • Milk procurement increased by 120.68 lakh kg/day |
| Key Infrastructure Achievements | • 61,677 milk testing labs • 6,000 bulk milk coolers installed |
| New/Modernised Dairy Plants | Major plants in Mehsana, Indore, Bhilwara, Karimnagar and new units in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana |
| Women’s Leadership in Dairy Sector | • Women constitute 70% of the dairy workforce • 48,000+ women-led cooperatives • 16 all-women Milk Producer Organisations (MPOs), including award-winning Shreeja MPP (AP) |
GST Reforms 2025 – Boost to Dairy Sector (56th GST Council, Sept 2025)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Context | 56th GST Council Meeting (September 2025) introduced major dairy-sector tax rationalisation measures |
| Tax Exemptions (0%) | • UHT milk → 0% • Pre-packaged paneer → 0% |
| Slab Reductions: 12% → 5% | • Butter • Ghee • Cheese • Dairy spreads • Condensed milk • Milk-based beverages |
| Slab Reduction: 18% → 5% | • Ice cream |
| Other Reductions | • Milk cans: 12% → 5% |
| Major Impact | • Lowers production and retail prices • Benefits 8 crore rural households involved in dairying • Encourages formal processing → reduces adulteration • Improves export competitiveness of Indian dairy products |
White Revolution 2.0 (2024–2029)
A transformative national plan to rejuvenate the cooperative dairy framework.
Key Targets
Expand cooperatives to 75,000 new villages.
Strengthen 46,422 existing DCSs.
Raise cooperative procurement to 1,007 lakh kg/day.
Three Multi-State Cooperative Societies
Cattle feed & inputs
Organic manure, waste-to-wealth, biogas
Hides, bones & by-products management
Focus: Sustainability, circular economy, women-led enterprises.
Future Outlook: India’s Expanding Dairy Landscape (2025–26 and Beyond)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| APEDA Projections (2025–26) | • India to supply 32% of global milk output • Expected production by 2026: 242 million tonnes |
| Processing Capacity Goals | • Target: 100 million litres/day processing by 2028–29 • Current capacity: 660 lakh litres/day |
| Pashudhan Data Initiative | • Creation of a comprehensive digital livestock database to improve planning, breeding, disease control, and productivity |
| Disease Eradication by 2030 | • Free nationwide vaccination drives against: – Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) – Brucellosis |
| Expansion under NPDD (2025–26) | • 21,902 new dairy cooperatives planned to be created/strengthened |
| Overall Vision | India aims to emerge as a global dairy export hub driven by technology adoption, genetic improvement, digital systems, and organised value chains |
Honouring Excellence: Gopal Ratna Awards 2025
Awards to be presented on 26 November 2025 for:
1. Best dairy farmers (indigenous breeds)
2. Best dairy cooperatives / MPOs
3. Best AI technicians
4. Prizes: ₹5 lakh, ₹3 lakh, ₹2 lakh.
Purpose: Promote innovation, quality, and leadership in dairying.
Conclusion
National Milk Day 2025 is both a celebration of India’s dairy revolution and a reaffirmation of its commitment to farmers. From the visionary leadership of Dr. Verghese Kurien to the monumental success of Operation Flood and the rise of cooperative institutions, India’s dairy story exemplifies rural empowerment, women’s leadership, and sustainable development. Government programmes including RGM, NAIP, NPDD, GST reforms, and White Revolution 2.0 have strengthened every link of the dairy value chain—from genetic improvement and animal health to procurement, processing, and marketing. With expanding digital tools, rising processing capacity, structured cooperatives, and women-led growth, India is well-positioned to not only remain the world’s largest milk producer but also emerge as a global dairy exporter.
Q. Consider the following statements regarding India’s dairy sector:
1. India contributes nearly one-fourth of global milk production.
2. Artificial Insemination (AI) coverage under the National AI Programme has crossed 60% of breedable bovines.
3. Women constitute more than half of India’s dairy workforce.
4. GST reforms in 2025 reduced the tax on ice cream from 18% to 5%.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: A
Main question:
Q. Discuss the recent developments in India’s dairy sector with reference to National Milk Day 2025. How are initiatives such as RGM, NPDD, NAIP, and GST reforms strengthening the dairy value chain and promoting women-led rural development?
(250 words)
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