SYLLABUS

GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. 

GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Context: The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025 came into force across India on 1 July 2026, replacing MGNREGA and expanding the statutory rural employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days.

Key Features of the Act

• Enhanced Employment Guarantee: Statutory wage employment increased from 100 days to 125 days for every eligible rural household. 

• Employment must be provided within 15 days of demand, failing which workers are entitled to unemployment allowance. 

• Wage Payment and Compensation: Wages will continue through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into bank or post office accounts. 

• Payments must be made weekly or within 15 days after closure of the muster roll. 
• Workers will receive delay compensation if wages are not paid on time. 

• Unemployment Allowance: If employment is not provided within the stipulated period: 

• Workers receive at least one-fourth of the wage rate for the first 30 days. 
• At least one-half of the wage rate for the remaining period. 

• National Wage Floor Introduced: A minimum wage of ₹300 per day has been notified across all States and UTs. 

• National average wage increased to ₹327.4/day from ₹298.8/day. 

• State-wise Wage Revision: Significant wage hikes (15–25%) in several historically low-wage States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. 

• Highest notified wage: ₹450/day in selected high-altitude Gram Panchayats of Sikkim and Haryana (₹409), Goa (₹406) and Kerala (₹401) among major States. 

• Seamless Transition: Existing e-KYC verified job cards remain valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued. 

• Ongoing works continue without interruption. 

• Timely Employment & Wage Payment: Employment to be provided within the prescribed period after demand. 

• Transparent and technology-enabled wage payments. 
• Face-recognition/mobile-based attendance continues for greater accountability. 

• Gram Panchayat-Centric Implementation: Greater focus on:

• Natural resource management 
• Water conservation 
• Agriculture and allied activities 
• Rural infrastructure 
• Women's empowerment through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) 
• Convergence with flagship rural development programmes 

• Technology-enabled Governance: Digital implementation through the VB-G RAM G software platform. 

• Greater transparency through digital monitoring, e-KYC, and electronic records. 

• Agriculture-friendly Design: Provision for identifying peak agricultural seasons (crop holidays) to avoid labour shortages during sowing and harvesting periods. 

Significance of the Act

• Strengthens rural livelihood security by increasing the statutory employment guarantee to 125 days. 

• Raises rural incomes through higher wage rates and a nationwide minimum wage floor of ₹300 per day. 

• Creates durable rural assets by focusing on water conservation, natural resource management, agriculture, and rural infrastructure. 

• Promotes women-led rural development through stronger integration of Self-Help Groups and livelihood initiatives. 

• Improves transparency and efficiency through digital governance, e-KYC, software-based monitoring, and technology-enabled implementation. 

• Supports sustainable rural development by encouraging participatory planning and convergence with other flagship programmes. 

• Contributes to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 by fostering self-reliant, resilient, and prosperous rural communities.