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
