Last checked against official sources on 13-10-2026. Scheme amounts change; confirm with your district animal husbandry office.
People often search for an “adopt a cow” scheme, either to give a stray cow a home or to support one. Only one state, Uttar Pradesh, has an officially documented scheme that pays individuals to look after stray cattle. This guide explains it, what other states fund instead, and how you can help even if you can’t take a cow home. For more on cattle care, visit our cow hub.
Uttar Pradesh: Mukhyamantri Nirashrit/Besahara Govansh Sahbhagita Yojana
- What it is: under this scheme, launched in 2019, farmers, cattle keepers and other willing people take in stray cattle from government shelters and get a monthly payment for their care. [S1]
- How much: the state’s order set Rs 30 per animal per day, paid monthly into the beneficiary’s bank account. [S1] The Government of India’s Vikaspedia portal shows Rs 50 per cattle per day, but that page is marked as under review. [S2] Confirm the current rate with your district office.
- Conditions: the cattle are ear-tagged, and the beneficiary may not sell or abandon them. [S1]
- Who decides: under the 2019 order, District Magistrates identified the farmers. A 2020 letter extended the scheme to malnourished families and made the Child Development and Nutrition Department responsible for listing them. [S1]
- Scale: the state told Parliament in December 2021 that 1,04,112 cattle had been given to malnourished families for care under the scheme. [S3]
How to apply: we didn’t find an online application. Vikaspedia says you apply offline at the Animal Husbandry Department or the Chief Veterinary Officer’s office. [S2] You can also ask at the government cattle shelter (Gau Ashray Sthal) near you.
Other states: per-animal grants
Other states pay per-animal grants, mostly to gaushalas rather than to citizens: [S4] [S5]
- Madhya Pradesh: the state board provides Rs 40 per cattle per day to gaushalas. [S4]
- Maharashtra: a grant of Rs 50 per cow per day for rearing, paid to gaushalas. [S4]
- Rajasthan: assistance of Rs 44 per day for large animals, for 270 days. [S5]
We didn’t find an official scheme in these states that lets an individual “adopt” a cow and receive money for it.
How to help without taking a cow home
- Sponsor a cow at a gaushala. Many gaushalas let you pay for one animal’s fodder each month. Check the gaushala is registered and visit before you commit. See our guide to finding a genuine gaushala.
- Donate fodder rather than cash, if the gaushala prefers it.
- Report a stray cow on the road so it can be moved to safety. See how to report stray cattle.
The Pawsitive Hoomans Take
Taking in a stray cow is a long commitment, even with a government allowance: space, fodder, water and vet care every day. If you can’t do that, sponsoring a cow at a well-run gaushala you’ve visited does just as much good.
🐄 If you do take in a cow, record its ear tag number and vaccinations in a free Pet Passport, and use the Vaccination Tracker for its cattle schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a government scheme to adopt a cow in India?
Uttar Pradesh’s Mukhyamantri Nirashrit Govansh Sahbhagita Yojana lets people take in stray cattle from government shelters and get a daily allowance for their care. [S1]
How much does UP pay to keep a stray cow?
The original order set Rs 30 per animal per day [S1]; the government’s Vikaspedia portal shows Rs 50 per day, on a page marked as under review. [S2] Confirm the current rate with your district office.
Can I adopt a cow in other states?
We found official per-animal grants in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, but no scheme that pays individuals. [S4] [S5]
Sources and last checked
- [S1] Government of Uttar Pradesh, letter no. 62/2020/4938/37-2-2020 (12-09-2020) on the Mukhyamantri Nirashrit/Besahara Govansh Sahbhagita Yojana, filed with the UP Oversight Committee report in NGT OA No. 394 of 2022 – greentribunal.gov.in (PDF) – Last checked: 13-10-2026
- [S2] Vikaspedia (Government of India portal), Mukhyamantri Sahbhagita Yojana of Uttar Pradesh Govt (page marked “Review in Process”) – en.vikaspedia.in – Last checked: 14-10-2026
- [S3] Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 1529 (07-12-2021) – eparlib.sansad.in (PDF) – Last checked: 13-10-2026
- [S4] Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 1559 (29-07-2025) – eparlib.sansad.in (PDF) – Last checked: 13-10-2026
- [S5] Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 2014 (11-03-2025), DAHD reply – dahd.gov.in (PDF) – Last checked: 13-10-2026
Disclaimer: PawsitiveHoomans is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with any government body or gaushala.