Mukhyamantri Nirashrit/Besahara Govansh Sahbhagita Yojana
₹50 a day (₹1,500 a month) per cow for farmers and cattle keepers who take stray cattle from gaushalas and look after them, up to four animals.
Run by: Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh
- Daily amount
- ₹50 per cow
- Monthly amount
- ₹1,500 per cow
- Animals per person
- Up to 4
- Participants (Oct 2026)
- About 1.13 lakh on the portal
Overview
Uttar Pradesh has lakhs of stray and abandoned cattle sheltered in government cow shelters. Under this scheme, a willing farmer or cattle keeper can take cattle from a shelter and look after them at home, and the state pays a daily maintenance amount for each animal.
In February 2025 the daily amount was raised from ₹30 to ₹50 per cow, announced by Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh (ETV Bharat, 9 February 2025). That is ₹1,500 a month per cow, and up to four animals can go to one person — about ₹6,000 a month for four.
The scheme has a fast-growing take-up. When the rate was raised in February 2025, 1,62,625 cows had been handed over to 1,05,139 beneficiaries, with over 12 lakh cattle in about 7,700 shelters. The department's Gaushala Management System portal (up.goashray.in) now shows about 12.17 lakh cattle in about 6,090 shelters and about 1.13 lakh participants, as read in October 2026.
The Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026-27 also provides for the scheme. The state treats this as a way to ease overcrowding in shelters while giving a steady cash support to rural families.
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- ₹50 per day, i.e. ₹1,500 per month, for each stray cow you look after.
- Up to four animals per person — about ₹6,000 a month for four cows.
- Money is paid by Direct Benefit Transfer to your bank account.
- Gives a steady income and manure, and helps clear overcrowded gaushalas.
Who is eligible
State schemes usually state their criteria as prose rather than a checklist. This is that prose, unpacked — the department’s verification is what decides.
You qualify if
- Resident of Uttar Pradesh willing to look after stray cattle taken from a government cow shelter
- Able to house and feed the animals properly
- Farmer, cattle keeper or other willing individual — up to four animals per person
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook (account in the applicant's name)
- Address proof
- Proof of space to keep the cattle, if asked
How to apply
Fewer steps than a central scheme, and usually one office rather than a portal.
- 1
Meet the shelter or veterinary office
Visit your nearest cow shelter in-charge or the District Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) office and tell them you want to take cattle under the scheme.
- 2
Fill the application
Submit the form with your Aadhaar, address and bank details. The department uses its Gaushala Management System portal to track the cattle given to participants.
- 3
Receive the cattle
After approval, the shelter hands over the cattle to you, up to four animals. Take a copy of the handover record.
- 4
Look after them and get paid
Keep the animals healthy. The ₹50-per-day amount is sent to your bank account through DBT.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- First, use the department's livestock problem-resolution centre toll-free number 1800-180-5141, or the CVO office of your district.
- For escalation, use UP Jansunwai (IGRS): jansunwai.up.nic.in or the CM Helpline 1076.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I get per cow?
₹50 per day, which is ₹1,500 a month, for each stray cow you look after. The rate was raised from ₹30 in February 2025.
How many cattle can I take?
Up to four animals per person. For four cows that is about ₹6,000 a month.
Where do I get the cattle?
From a government cow shelter (gaushala) in your district, through the shelter in-charge or the District Chief Veterinary Officer.
Is this the same as the Gopalak Yojana?
No. Gopalak Yojana is a separate subsidised bank loan for starting a dairy unit. This scheme pays you a daily amount to look after stray cattle taken from shelters.
How is the money paid?
Directly to your bank account by DBT. Make sure the account is in your own name and linked to Aadhaar.
Is there a helpline?
Yes. The department's toll-free number for livestock problems is 1800-180-5141, and the Directorate in Lucknow can be reached on 0522-2740482.
Facts checked against up.goashray.in on 4 October 2026. editorial policy.