National Milk Day 2025: Celebrating India’s White Revolution

National Milk Day is observed every year on 26 November to honour Dr Verghese Kurien, the “Father of the White Revolution,” for his pivotal role in shaping the country’s dairy sector.

Why Cover this Topic for UPSC?

• Linked to Agriculture & Rural Economy.
• Important for GS-III (food security, dairy sector, cooperatives).
• Relevant for GS-I/Essay on development models and rural upliftment.
• Frequently asked in Prelims—dates, schemes, and key personalities like Dr Verghese Kurien.

National Milk Day is observed every year on 26 November to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr Verghese Kurien, the driving force behind India’s White Revolution. The day reminds us how a strong cooperative model, smart policy design, and farmer-led institutions changed India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer.

Why is National Milk Day Celebrated?

National Milk Day was first celebrated in 2014 after the Indian Dairy Association decided to honour the birth anniversary of Dr Verghese Kurien on 26 November. Since then, the day has been observed every year across India.

• To honour Dr Kurien’s contribution to Operation Flood and the expansion of dairy cooperatives.
• To highlight the importance of milk as an affordable, accessible source of nutrition for Indian families.
• To recognise the role of the dairy sector in rural livelihoods, especially for small farmers and women.
• To remind us of how the Amul cooperative model reshaped India’s dairy economy.
• To spread awareness about the economic and social value of the dairy sector in India.

Operation Flood was one of the world’s largest dairy development programmes, launched in 1970. It revolutionised India’s dairy sector and is often called the “White Revolution”.

• The main aim was to build a nationwide system that ensured a steady supply of milk across India.
• Dr Kurien designed the programme through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
• It was based on the “Anand Pattern” cooperative model that connects 
  Village-level milk producers → District unions → State federations.
• It was progressed in three phases (1970–1996) and expanded the milk grid, built dairies, improved transport, and strengthened cooperative societies.
• By 1996, India became self-sufficient in milk production, ending dependence on imports.
• The model provided regular income to millions of small and marginal farmers, especially women.

Operation Flood showed that farmer-led cooperatives could run large, efficient supply chains.

India has held the position of the world’s largest milk producer since 1998, and today contributes nearly one-fourth of the global milk output. This makes the dairy sector one of the strongest pillars of India’s rural economy and food security framework.

• India accounts for about 22–25% of global milk production, ahead of the USA, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
• In 2022–23, India’s milk production reached 230.58 million tonnes (MMT).
• The estimated value of milk output stands at ₹11.16 lakh crore, higher than the combined value of wheat and rice.
• Per capita milk availability rose to 459 grams/day in 2022–23, reflecting strong production and consumption trends.

Must cover: Five-Year Plans of India: Complete Notes for UPSC

Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra remain the leading milk-producing states in India.

“Before we learn words, we learn warmth, and that warmth tastes like milk.”

Milk is more than nutrition. It’s the first food we’re ever given, the quiet symbol of care, the comfort we don’t outgrow. In India, it serves as a bridge between health and livelihood, households and villages, children and farmers, nutrition and national growth.

What Makes Milk Important?

• Milk is one of the most complete natural foods available.
• In India, milk is a major part of the daily diet and one of the most accessible sources of nutrition for rural households.
• It supports millions of small and marginal farmers, who depend on dairying for daily income.
• Milk is also central to India's strategy for nutrition security. 

What’s Inside Milk?

Milk is a nutrient-packed blend of:

• Proteins (casein & whey) – repair, growth, strength
• Calcium & minerals – strong bones and teeth
• Healthy fats – energy + brain development
• Lactose – steady, smooth energy
• Vitamins A, D, B2, B12 – immunity, vision, nerves, metabolism

Milk nourishes the body the way a mother nourishes an infant.

Must cover: Birsa Munda Jayanti 2025: 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda

India’s dairy sector supports millions of rural households. To strengthen productivity, market access, and farmer income, the government has launched several targeted schemes over the years. Here are the major initiatives every UPSC aspirant should know:

1. Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

• Focuses on improving indigenous cattle breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, and Red Sindhi.
• Promotes scientific breeding, conservation of native breeds, and establishment of Gokul Grams.

2. National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)

• Aims to modernise dairy infrastructure such as milk collection, chilling, and processing units.
• Enhances quality testing to ensure clean, safe milk reaches consumers.

3. Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF)

• Provides financial support for modernising cooperative dairy plants.
• Helps cooperatives adopt advanced technology for processing and value-added products.

4. National Dairy Plan (NDP) – Phase I

• Focuses on increasing milk productivity and strengthening milk procurement systems.
• Supports ration balancing, artificial insemination, and farmer training.

5. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)

• Encourages private investment in milk processing, cold chains, and value-added dairy products.
• Helps boost entrepreneurship and rural employment in the dairy sector.

6. Livestock Health & Disease Control (LHDC) Programme

• Ensures regular vaccination, disease control, and veterinary support.
• Key diseases targeted: FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease), Brucellosis, etc.

7. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Extension to Dairy Farmers

• Provides easy, low-interest credit for farmers engaged in dairy and animal husbandry.
• Critical for working capital, feed purchase, and herd management.

8. e-NAM & Digital Initiatives

• Supports better market access for dairy farmers.
• Encourages transparency in pricing and digital payments.

Also read: E-Governance in India: Meaning, Objectives, Pillars, Models and Major Government Policies

India’s next leap in the dairy sector will be shaped by technology, inclusivity, and sustainability. The future belongs to a system where women dairy farmers become key stakeholders, cooperatives grow stronger, and digital tools will renew how milk is produced and delivered.

India can build a dairy ecosystem that is globally competitive, equitable, and future-ready.

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