Centre Notifies Implementation of Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Act; Rollout Begins on 1st July The Indian government has officially notified the implementation of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G). The legislation, set to be rolled out nationwide from 1st July 2026, replaces the 20-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005. The Rural Development Ministry emphasized that the new Act aims to empower rural communities by guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment per financial year, a significant increase from the previous 100-day mandate under MGNREGA. A provision of ₹95,692 crore has been allocated in the current financial year to operationalize the framework across the country. The VB-G RAM G Act is designed to accelerate rural development while providing greater income security and accountability. Key provisions include strict timelines for wage payments, ensuring transparency and fairness in the distribution of funds. Additionally, the Act introduces an unemployment allowance for workers who are not provided employment within the stipulated period. This measure is intended to safeguard the livelihoods of rural laborers and reduce financial uncertainty. A notable feature of the Act is its focus on gender inclusivity. To support the participation of women in rural employment, the legislation mandates the appointment of a woman worker at worksites where five or more children under the age of five are present. This provision aims to create a childcare support system, enabling women to continue working without interruption while fostering more inclusive and responsive work environments.#indian_government #viksit_bharat #mgnrega #rural_development_ministry #vbg_ram_g_act
VB-G RAM G Act to Replace MGNREGA, Effective July 1, 2026 The Indian government announced on May 11, 2026, that the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act will come into effect nationwide on July 1, 2026, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). A notification issued by the Ministry of Rural Development stated that the new law will apply to all states and union territories, marking the end of the 2005 MGNREGA. The transition is described as seamless, with assurances that workers’ ongoing projects under MGNREGA will be transferred to the new framework without disruption. The Ministry emphasized that existing e-KYC-verified MGNREGA job cards will remain valid until the new "gramin rozgar guarantee cards" are issued. Workers will not face employment denial due to pending e-KYC verification, and registration processes for those without job cards will continue at the gram panchayat level. The government also highlighted that the new act aims to strengthen rural employment, infrastructure development, and self-reliance in villages, positioning gram panchayats as the "central pillar" of rural transformation. President of India formally assented to the VB-G RAM G Bill, paving the way for its implementation. The Ministry of Rural Development further stated that draft rules governing wage payments, grievance redressal mechanisms, allocation norms, and transitional provisions are being finalized in consultation with states and union territories. These rules will be published for public consultation in the coming weeks. In addition to the legal framework, the government launched a logo design contest for the VB-G RAM G Act, encouraging creative input from the public.#india #mgnrega #gram_panchayat #ministry_of_rural_development #vb_g_ram_g_act
Nagaland: Rural development at the centre of development Prof Jayanta Choudhury, head of the Department of Rural Development and Planning at Nagaland University, emphasized that rural development is central to broader development goals. During a discourse organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in Kohima on March 25, he highlighted how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rely heavily on improving rural development through inclusive and participatory strategies. The event, part of a discussion on the central scheme “Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)” (VB–G RAM G), aimed to explore its implications for rural employment and livelihoods. The VB–G RAM G, previously known as MGNREGA, is designed to provide 135 days of wage employment per rural household annually. Prof Choudhury noted that the scheme now features a 60:40 funding split between the central and state governments, with North Eastern and Himalayan states receiving 90% central funding. This adjustment aims to address rural employment gaps and support livelihood initiatives. However, he raised concerns about the scheme’s potential to weaken existing safety nets, citing unresolved issues from the previous MGNREGA framework. Key changes from MGNREGA include a shift from demand-driven to supply-driven planning, revised wage and employment day calculations, and greater emphasis on fiscal responsibility and technology-driven monitoring. Prof Choudhury pointed out that many recommendations from past parliamentary committees remain unimplemented, raising questions about the scheme’s effectiveness. He also highlighted the exclusion of rural work during peak agricultural seasons, which could disrupt employment for those reliant on continuous income.#nagaland #press_information_bureau #mgnrega #prof_jayanta_choudhury
PIB Kohima holds media workshop on Central Scheme 'VB GRAMG' The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kohima, organized a one-day media workshop on the newly launched central scheme 'VB GRAMG' on March 25, 2026, at the Kohima Press Club Office. The event, part of the VARTA discourse series, focused on the Ministry of Rural Development's initiative aimed at transforming rural employment mechanisms. Prof. Jayanta Choudhury, head of the Department of Rural Development and Planning at Nagaland University, highlighted the central role of rural development in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasized that sustainable rural growth is essential for inclusive progress, noting that over 80% of the world's poor reside in rural areas and that issues like hunger and malnutrition are predominantly concentrated there. Prof. Choudhury stressed the importance of localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainable practices such as organic farming to address rural challenges. He argued that the development of urban centers is intrinsically linked to the strength of rural economies, suggesting that improved rural development could reduce migration to cities. The professor also underscored that the success of all SDGs hinges on effective rural development, positioning it as a cornerstone of India's national agenda. The workshop detailed the key features of VBGRAMG, a reformed rural employment scheme replacing MGNREGA. The scheme guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, slightly higher than the 120 days under MGNREGA. It introduces a 60:40 central-state funding split, with North-Eastern and Himalayan states receiving 90% central funding. Prof.#pib_kohima #vb_gramg #nagaland_university #viksit_bharat #mgnrega
