Viksit Bharat G RAM G Act to Replace MGNREGA with 125-Day Job Guarantee from July 1
NEW DELHI, May 11, 2026 — The Government of India has officially notified the commencement of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), known as the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, which is set to launch nationwide on July 1, 2026. This landmark legislation will repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005, signaling a strategic shift toward a more productivity-oriented rural transformation in line with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. Under the new framework, rural households are entitled to a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per financial year, an increase intended to bolster livelihood security and rural income.
To support this historic transition, the Central Government has announced a record-breaking budgetary allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore for the 2026–27 fiscal year, the highest ever at the budget estimate stage for a rural employment program. When combined with state contributions, the total program outlay is expected to exceed ₹1.51 lakh crore. The Act mandates that employment be provided upon demand within a specific timeframe; failure to do so will entitle workers to an unemployment allowance. Furthermore, the government has emphasized transparency through weekly or fortnightly wage payments via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), with provisions for compensation in the event of payment delays.
To ensure that rural laborers face no hardships during the changeover, the government has confirmed a seamless transition process. All existing e-KYC verified MGNREGA Job Cards will remain valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued, and ongoing projects as of June 30 will continue uninterrupted under the new Act. The Ministry of Rural Development is currently finalizing various draft rules—covering grievance redressal, wage payment procedures, and administrative expenditures—in consultation with States and Union Territories. By empowering Gram Panchayats as the primary drivers of this mission, the VB–G RAM G Act aims to foster a self-reliant and prosperous rural India.