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
Youth Must Align Personal Aspirations With Nation-Building: Vice President Radhakrishnan Vice President C P Radhakrishnan emphasized the importance of aligning personal ambitions with national development during his address at the third convocation ceremony of IIMT University in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, on April 21, 2026. Speaking to students and faculty, the vice president highlighted the role of the youth in shaping India’s future, urging them to move beyond individual success and contribute to the country’s growth. His remarks came as the university celebrated the completion of its academic programs, marking a transition from education to active participation in nation-building. Radhakrishnan framed the occasion as a pivotal moment in India’s history, noting the nation’s rapid transformation through initiatives like the Namo Bharat Train and the Meerut Metro, both inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in 2026. These projects, he stated, exemplify modern, sustainable infrastructure that is creating new opportunities for students and professionals. The vice president described the current era as a defining phase for India, characterized by advancements in connectivity and development that are reshaping the country’s economic and social landscape. He underscored the vision of Viksit Bharat, a national mission aimed at achieving self-reliance and inclusive growth by 2047. Radhakrishnan argued that this vision requires the collective effort of the youth, emphasizing their responsibility to embrace innovation, support local industries, and promote homegrown solutions. The vice president also called for a shift from being job seekers to job creators, urging students to take initiative in driving economic progress.#narendra_modi #meerut #viksit_bharat #iimt_university #vice_president_cp_radhakrishnan
The 8th Pay Commission Should Break from the Colonial Past and Rethink Its Composition The composition of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) in late 2025 sparked significant debate, with critics arguing that its structure inherently favored the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) over other specialized services. The commission’s design, which placed a serving IAS officer at the helm of its secretariat, raised concerns about impartiality, as the IAS has historically benefited from a pay and promotion system that grants it a “two-year edge” over other services. This arrangement, critics argue, perpetuates a colonial-era hierarchy that privileges generalist administrators over domain-specific expertise, undermining efforts to modernize governance in a technology-driven era. The CPC’s operational framework was criticized for its lack of balance. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, the commission’s chairperson, was accompanied by a lone part-time member, leaving the majority of decision-making power in the hands of the Member-Secretary, a serving IAS officer. This role, far from being clerical, dictated how data was aggregated, how inter-ministerial consultations were shaped, and how representations were filtered before reaching the commission’s formal consideration. The Member-Secretary’s influence over the drafting process meant that recommendations were effectively filtered through a bureaucratic network dominated by IAS officers, creating a closed loop of institutional self-reference. The commission’s composition was seen as a continuation of a colonial legacy. The British Covenanted Civil Service, designed to create an elite class of administrators, left a lasting imprint on India’s bureaucratic structure.#indian_administrative_service #viksit_bharat #8th_central_pay_commission #justice_ranjana_prakash_desai #british_covenanted_civil_service
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
