DAHD SOP for AI Technicians 2025: Guidelines & Procedures

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, has released comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians. These guidelines, effective from November 2025, are crucial for ensuring standardized and efficient AI practices across the country, aiming to enhance livestock productivity and streamline data management.

Quick Overview

Key Procedures Outlined

This comprehensive document details the various stages and responsibilities of an AI Technician. The main areas covered include:

• Data Entry Procedures: Ensuring accurate record-keeping and digital updates.
• General Procedures: Maintaining hygiene, equipment, and responsiveness.
• Insemination Technique: Step-by-step guide for performing AI.
• Post Insemination Advice to Farmer: Guidance for livestock owners after AI.
• Post Insemination Follow-up by the AI Technician: Monitoring animal health and pregnancy status.
• Semen Handling: Proper storage, transport, and use of semen straws.

Reason for Issuing SOPs

The official notification does not explicitly state the specific reason for issuing these SOPs at this time. However, such standardized procedures are typically introduced or updated to:

• Ensure uniformity and quality in artificial insemination services nationwide.
• Improve conception rates and overall livestock health.
• Streamline data collection and incentive distribution through digital platforms like NDLM and Bharat Pashudhan.
• Provide clear operational guidelines to AI technicians, reducing errors and enhancing efficiency.
• Promote better animal management practices among farmers through technician advice.

Guidance for AI Technicians

AI Technicians are advised to thoroughly familiarize themselves with these Standard Operating Procedures. Adherence to these guidelines is mandatory for:

• Ensuring the welfare of animals.
• Maximizing the success rate of artificial insemination.
• Accurate data reporting on government portals (NDLM, Bharat Pashudhan).
• Timely receipt of incentives.
• Providing effective guidance and support to livestock owners.

Detailed SOP Breakdown

1. Data Entry Procedures

Accurate and timely data entry is paramount for effective monitoring and incentive disbursement. AI Technicians must ensure:

• Animal Identification: Tagging and verification of animals, updating owner’s Aadhaar and mobile numbers.
• AI Recording: Artificial Insemination must be conducted by duly qualified technicians.
• Farmer App: Advise livestock owners to download the ‘1962 application’ for alerts.
• Incentive Eligibility: Only one AI per heat cycle will be considered for incentive calculation.
• Pregnancy Diagnosis (PD): Perform PD within 45-90 days post-AI.
• Incentive Release: Incentives are released only after PD data is uploaded on the NDLM portal.
• Follow-up: All PD(+ve) animals require follow-up till calving, with status updates (e.g., abortion, stillbirth) on the portal.
• Calf Registration: Enter calving details for every PD(+ve) animal and register each calf with a physical/virtual tag. Virtual tags must be converted to physical tags within 180 days via the Bharat Pashudhan portal.
• Dry Off Transactions: Enter dry off transactions at the end of the milking cycle.

2. General Procedures

Maintaining a professional and organized approach is key:

• Hygiene & Maintenance: Keep the AI Centre premises clean, ensure all equipment and materials are properly maintained, and semen canisters are correctly tagged.
• Farmer Communication: Respond promptly to farmer calls and inform them of any likely delays.
• AI Kit Checklist: Before leaving the AI centre, verify the presence and cleanliness of the following items in the AI kit:
  • Straw cutter/Scissors (sharp edges)
  • Thermometer (good quality)
  • Thawing Flask
  • Forceps
  • Singly packed sheaths
  • AI Gun with container (Universal Gun)
  • Plastic gloves
  • Clean towel
  • Thermos-flask with hot water
  • Apron
  • 1.5/2/3 liter cryocan with desired semen straws
  • Gum Boots
• Supply Management: Be present at the centre for scheduled semen and liquid nitrogen deliveries. Always maintain the proper quantity of liquid nitrogen.

3. Insemination Technique

A meticulous and gentle approach is required for successful insemination:

• Animal Identification: Upon arrival, identify the cow/buffalo and review its past breeding records.
• Heat Detection: Externally examine the animal to confirm signs of heat (clear, transparent, viscous, and ropy vaginal discharge).
• Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly.
• Gun Preparation: Prepare the AI gun only after per rectal examination of the genitalia.
• Equipment Readiness: Ensure plastic gloves, sheath, gun, scissors, forceps, tissue paper, and a clean towel are ready before thawing semen.
• Thawing Water: Pour hot water into the thawing tray, adjusting temperature to 37°C with cold/hot water.
• Semen Withdrawal: Remove semen from the cryocan using forceps (not hands). Cool straw tips for a few seconds. Raise canister just high enough (not above frost line) and remove straw within 10 seconds.
• Thawing Process: Shake the straw to remove excess nitrogen and quickly plunge it into the 37°C warm water in a horizontal position for 40-45 seconds.
• Gun & Sheath Temperature: Ensure the insemination gun and sheath are around 37°C, neither too hot nor too cold.
• Straw Preparation: Take out the straw, wipe it with a clean towel. Perform AI as early as possible after thawing.
• Loading Straw: Load the straw into the gun, ensuring the air space is at the laboratory seal end. Make a clean, right-angle cut below the laboratory seal with sharp scissors.
• Sheath Attachment: Take out the sheath from its packet, place it on the gun, and secure it firmly with the o-ring lock.
• Glove Usage: Wear a shoulder-length plastic glove (preferably on the left hand) and hold the gun with the right hand.
• Animal Restraint: Ask the farmer to restrain the animal and hold its tail. Speak to the animal to keep it calm.
• Lubrication: Lubricate the gloves with liquid paraffin or a suitable lubricant (e.g., bathing soap) before proceeding to the rectum.
• Rectal Insertion: Gently insert the gloved hand into the rectum, forming a cone with fingers.
• Cleaning: Clean the rectum by removing fecal material without ballooning. Clean the vulva with water and wipe with tissue paper.
• Vulva Spread: Ask the farmer to help spread the vulva.
• Gun Insertion Safety: Never allow the gun’s tip to touch the external coat or anus/vulva. Insert the gun at approximately a 30-degree angle until it reaches the fornix vagina, avoiding the urethral opening/urinary bladder.
• Cervix Manipulation: Hold the cervix firmly through the rectum and slightly stretch it forward to unfold vaginal folds. Gently and smoothly pass the gun through the vagina to the opening of the cervical canal.
• Internal Os Placement: Hold the external os of the cervix ahead of the gun’s tip and negotiate vaginal folds and cervical rings to pass the gun through the cervix until the gun’s tip reaches the internal os. Feel the gun tip at the internal os to ensure correct placement.
• Semen Deposition: If the animal moves, stop and wait. Hold the gun’s shoulder between your ring and middle fingers and slowly push the piston (5 seconds) to deposit semen just outside the internal os into the uterus body.
• Post-Deposition Check: Gently remove the gun and check for abnormal discharge and a complete semen deposit.
• Verification & Disposal: Recheck semen ID (bull and batch number). Properly dispose of the sheath, gloves, and tissue papers. Clean the gun if needed. Upload breeding information to the Bharat Pashudhan system. Provide an AI fee receipt to the farmer.

4. Post Insemination Advice to Farmer

Educating farmers is crucial for successful outcomes:

• Observation: Advise the farmer to keep the animal under observation for the next 12-24 hours.
• Protection: Inform the farmer to protect the animal from scrub bulls during the remaining part of the current heat cycle.
• Repeat AI: If signs of heat persist after 18-24 hours, call for repeat AI. Otherwise, observe for heat symptoms after 18-21 days and also after 36-42 days.
• Pregnancy Diagnosis: If the animal does not repeat heat for two consecutive 18-21 day intervals, advise the farmer to call the AI Technician for pregnancy diagnosis after 3 months from the date of insemination.

5. Post Insemination Follow-up by the AI Technician

Consistent follow-up ensures accountability and success:

• Repeat Heat Check: Follow up on each inseminated animal after approximately 21 days to check for repeat heat.
• Pregnancy Diagnosis: Follow up for pregnancy diagnosis after 3 months, record the date and result, and upload this information to the Bharat Pashudhan System.
• Calving Details: Follow up on each pregnant animal, record calving details, and upload these details to the Bharat Pashudhan System.
• Record Upload: Upload all records related to artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, calving, and money transactions.
• Farmer Education: Advise farmers on proper heat detection, feeding, management, and healthcare of animals.

6. Semen Handling

Proper semen handling is critical for viability and successful insemination:

• Storage Location: Keep the liquid Nitrogen container in a well-ventilated, dry, and dust-free location that allows easy viewing into the neck tube and ease of withdrawing/replenishing semen and liquid nitrogen.
• Equipment Cleaning: Clean AI guns, straw cutter scissors, and other accessories weekly with hot water and air dry. Sanitize them with Isopropyl alcohol after drying. Wipe the AI gun piston and scissors with water after each insemination. Avoid surgical spirit and soaps as they are lethal to semen.
• Liquid Nitrogen Level: Maintain the liquid nitrogen level above the straw level in 1.5/2/3 litre capacity containers.
• Monitoring Evaporation: Measure the liquid nitrogen level of 35-litre containers weekly using a measuring scale provided by the SIA and record measurements to monitor evaporation rates.
• Transport: Carry required semen doses in the liquid nitrogen container to the farmer’s doorstep. Never carry semen straws in pockets, thermos-flasks, or polythene bags filled with water/ice.
• Inventory Management: Maintain an accurate semen inventory to minimize semen exposure.
• Identification: Always attach the paper tag provided with each goblet to the requisite canister to identify the type of semen.

Career Scope for AI Technicians

AI Technicians play a vital role in the dairy and livestock industry. Their work directly contributes to:

• Genetic Improvement: By facilitating the breeding of high-quality livestock, they help improve milk production, meat quality, and disease resistance.
• Economic Upliftment: Enhanced livestock productivity leads to increased income for farmers, especially in rural areas.
• Disease Control: Proper AI techniques and hygiene help prevent the spread of reproductive diseases.

With the government’s focus on animal welfare and dairy development, the demand for skilled and compliant AI Technicians is expected to remain high. Continuous adherence to SOPs and regular training can lead to a respected and stable career in veterinary support services.

Preparation Tips for AI Technicians

To effectively implement these SOPs, AI Technicians should consider the following:

• Thorough Study: Read and understand every section of the SOP document carefully.
• Practical Training: Participate in regular refresher training programs and workshops to hone practical skills.
• Checklist Usage: Create and use physical or mental checklists for each procedure, especially for kit preparation and insemination steps.
• Hygiene Protocols: Prioritize and strictly follow all hygiene and sanitation protocols to prevent infections and ensure semen viability.
• Data Accuracy: Pay meticulous attention to detail during data entry on digital platforms. Understand the NDLM and Bharat Pashudhan systems thoroughly.
• Farmer Communication: Develop strong communication skills to effectively advise farmers on post-insemination care and follow-up.
• Equipment Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain all AI equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the primary purpose of these DAHD SOPs for AI Technicians?

A: The primary purpose is to standardize artificial insemination practices, ensure high-quality service delivery, improve data accuracy for livestock management, and provide clear guidelines for AI Technicians across India.

Q2: When do these new SOPs become effective?

A: These Standard Operating Procedures are effective from November 2025.

Q3: What digital platforms are mentioned for data entry and record-keeping?

A: The SOPs mention the NDLM portal for pregnancy diagnosis data and incentive release, and the Bharat Pashudhan portal for calf registration and ear-tag change transactions.

Q4: Why is it important for AI Technicians to advise farmers to download the ‘1962 application’?

A: The ‘1962 application’ provides alert support to livestock owners, helping them manage their animals better and receive timely information related to AI and animal health.

Q5: What is the correct temperature for thawing semen straws?

A: Semen straws should be thawed in warm water maintained at 37°C for 40-45 seconds.

Q6: How often should AI Technicians clean their equipment?

A: AI guns, straw cutters, and other accessories should be cleaned whenever they get soiled or at least once a week with hot water and air dry. They should be sanitized with Isopropyl alcohol after drying, and the AI gun piston and scissors wiped clean with water after each insemination.

Q7: What is the follow-up schedule for inseminated animals?

A: Technicians should follow up around 21 days for repeat heat, after 3 months for pregnancy diagnosis, and for calving details of pregnant animals.

Q8: Can AI Technicians carry semen straws in their pockets?

A: No, the SOP explicitly states that semen straws should never be carried in pockets, thermos-flasks, or polythene bags filled with water/ice. They must be transported in a liquid nitrogen container.