The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025 comes into force across rural India from 1 July 2026.
Key Provisions
- Entitlement: Statutory wage-employment guarantee increased from 100 to 125 days per eligible rural household.
- Legislative change: VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.
- Wage revision: National average wage revised from Rs 298.8/day (MGNREGA) to Rs 327.4/day under VB-G RAM G (notified 30 June 2026).
Financing & Administrative Measures
- Interim funding: Centre provided ₹95,692.31 crore to States and UTs for initial implementation and wage payments.
- State preparedness: 29 States/UTs made budgetary provisions; 24 States notified their VB-G RAM G state schemes as of 30 June 2026.
- Job cards: Existing e-KYC verified job cards remain valid until issuance of new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards.
Implementation Focus
- Local governance: Gram Panchayats designated central implementing units.
- Activity areas: Durable asset creation, natural resource management, rural infrastructure, women’s empowerment, and convergence with other rural programmes.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Administering ministry: Ministry of Rural Development is the nodal agency for implementation and fund flow.
- Legal status: Statutory entitlement under VB-G RAM G creates enforceable claims for eligible households.
- Key dates: Act effective 1 July 2026; scheme status snapshot as on 30 June 2026.