National Beekeeping and Honey Mission: Why Applications Get Rejected and How to Fix It

Why National Beekeeping and Honey Mission proposals get rejected

National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) proposals fail for reasons built into how the scheme works: the applicant expects a direct cash transfer instead of submitting a component proposal, the proposal does not use the prescribed appendix proforma, the beekeeper has not registered on the Madhukranti portal, a honey-testing-lab proposal was not routed through FSSAI, or an institution claiming higher assistance has not attached its registration certificate. NBHM is a project-based scheme run by the National Bee Board (NBB), so money follows an approved proposal, not a personal application. This article works through each; the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) pillar covers eligibility and the assistance rates.

Reason 1: Expecting a direct cash transfer

NBHM is not a Direct Benefit Transfer scheme. There is no open online form for a personal cash benefit for being a beekeeper. Assistance follows an approved project proposal for a defined component, a nucleus stock centre, bee breeder development, an Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre, a testing lab, equipment, or training.

The fix: identify the specific NBHM component you want support for and apply through a proposal. Individual beekeepers seeking bee boxes or colonies should approach the state agriculture or horticulture department, a KVK, an SHG or an NBB member society acting as the district implementing agency, these, not the NBB directly, deliver most field-level support.

Reason 2: Proposal not in the prescribed appendix proforma

Each NBHM component has its own proforma appendix in the scheme guidelines. A proposal that does not use the correct component proforma cannot be appraised.

The fix: download the matching appendix proforma from the NBHM guidelines and fill in organisation details, past training or production record, bank account details (account number, bank name and address, IFSC and PIN code) and item-wise project costs. For high-value beehive product equipment, both applicant and supplier declarations are prescribed in Appendices V and VI.

Reason 3: Not registered on the Madhukranti portal

NBB asks all beekeepers, societies, firms and companies dealing in honey production, processing, packaging, marketing and export to register on the Madhukranti portal at madhukranti.in, its registration and honey-traceability system. A proposal from an unregistered applicant is out of step with this requirement.

The fix: register on madhukranti.in first. As of 14 October 2025, about 14,859 beekeepers, 269 societies, 150 firms and 206 companies had registered on the portal.

Reason 4: Honey-testing-lab proposal not routed through FSSAI

Agencies with two to three years of food-quality testing experience seeking a honey or beehive-product testing lab must route the proposal to NBB through FSSAI, which verifies credentials and recommends eligible proposals. A lab proposal that bypasses FSSAI does not meet the route the guidelines set.

The fix: submit the testing-lab proposal via FSSAI so it can scrutinise credentials and recommend it to NBB.

Reason 5: Institution missing its registration certificate

Higher assistance to 75 percent for SHGs, JLGs, FIGs, cooperatives, FPOs, FPCs and Member Beekeepers' Federations, or 90 percent in the NE and Himalayan states — is available only to properly constituted institutions. A claim to the higher rate without the entity's registration certificate cannot be approved at that rate.

The fix: attach the registration certificate of the society, firm, company or FPO when claiming institutional assistance. Individuals, societies, firms and companies get 50 percent outside the NE and Himalayan region; government organisations get 100 percent, and capacity-building and training is funded 100 percent for all agencies.

What is not a rejection

Assistance arrives in phased instalments tied to physical progress, for example 50, 25 and 25 percent across three years for a nucleus stock development centre, which must produce 2,000 quality nucleus stock or queen bees over three years. A later instalment being withheld until milestones and documents are submitted is the design of the scheme, not a rejection.

How to track, correct and escalate

1. Submit the proposal to the National Bee Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi, or through the district implementing agency.
2. Follow the appraisal path. The Project Appraisal Committee examines it, the Executive Committee or Project Approval and Monitoring Committee approves it, with State Level Steering Committee clearance.
3. Contact the National Bee Board at 011-23325265 and 011-23719025, "B" Wing, second floor, Janpath Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi-110001, or email nbb-nbhm@gov.in.
4. Register and check status on the Madhukranti portal at madhukranti.in.

NBHM money follows an approved, milestone-linked proposal for a defined component, never a fee paid to an agent.