**Subject:** Response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3892 Regarding Declaration of Cow as National Animal
**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3892, addressed on August 12, 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying clarified the government's position on declaring the cow as the national animal. The Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, stated that the government does not propose to enact any law to declare the cow as the national animal. This decision aligns with Article 246 of the Constitution, which grants State legislatures exclusive power to legislate on matters concerning the preservation of animals.
While a national law is not under consideration, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying actively supports the promotion, protection, and rearing of cows through the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, initiated in December 2014. This mission focuses on the development and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds. The scheme was revised in July 2021 to enhance its effectiveness and further revised in March 2025.
To bolster the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, the government allocated an additional ₹1,000 crore in March 2025, bringing the total outlay for the scheme to ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26). This financial commitment underscores the government's dedication to supporting initiatives undertaken by States and Union Territories in this domain.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Union ministry responsible for matters related to fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the unstarred question was raised.
SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question about declaring cow as national animal.
PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL: The Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying who provided the answer to the question.
Constitution: Refers to the Constitution of India, specifically Article 2463 which concerns the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States regarding animal preservation.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission: A scheme implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying since December 2014 to promote the development and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds.
Union Territories: Refers to the territories governed directly by the Union Government of India. The scheme is implemented with the support of States and Union Territories.
15th Finance Commission: The Fifteenth Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, during which the Rashtriya Gokul Mission received an increased budget.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3892
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2025
DECLARATION OF COW AS NATIONAL ANIMAL
3892. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to enact any law to declare cow as the national animal;
(b) if so, the main objectives of the proposed law along with benefits of the same;
(c) whether the Government has announced any special scheme or budget to promote the protection
and rearing of cows; and
(d) whether the Government has any proposal to coordinate with the State Governments in this regard
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)
(a) and (b) No, Sir. As per Article 246(3) of the Constitution, under the distribution of legislative
powers between the Union and the States, the preservation of animal is a matter on which the State
legislature has exclusive powers to legislate.
(c) and (d) To support and strengthen the initiatives undertaken by States and Union Territories
for the promotion, protection, and rearing of cows, the Department of Animal Husbandry and
Dairying has been implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission since December 2014. The mission
focuses on the development and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds. The scheme was revised
and realigned in July 2021 to enhance its effectiveness. In view of its successful implementation and
strong demand from the States, the Government further revised the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in
March 2025, allocating an additional ₹1,000 crore. This brings the total outlay for the scheme to
₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26).
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