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 Union Government has notified the implementation of the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, which will come into force nationwide from 1 July 2026, replacing the 20-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) framework.

About the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025

• The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB–G RAM G] Act, 2025 is a new statutory rural employment and livelihood framework aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. 

• It combines guaranteed wage employment with long-term rural development, livelihood creation, climate resilience, and village-level planning. 

• It will be implemented uniformly across all rural areas of India from 1 July 2026. 

• The Act focuses on four major domains:

o Water security works 

o Core rural infrastructure 

o Livelihood-related infrastructure 

o Extreme weather mitigation works 

• Financial Allocation: The Union Government has allocated ₹95,692.31 crore for FY 2026–27 — the highest-ever budget estimate for a rural employment programme. 

• Fund Sharing Pattern

o 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States 

o 60:40 for other States and UTs with legislatures 

o 100% Central funding for UTs without legislatures 

• Transition from MGNREGA: Existing MGNREGA works will continue seamlessly and be migrated into the new framework. 

o Existing e-KYC-verified Job Cards remain valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued. 

o Workers cannot be denied employment due to pending e-KYC.

Key Features of the Act

• Enhanced Employment Guarantee: The Act increases the statutory employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days per financial year. 

o 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. 

o Payments must be made weekly or within 15 days after closure of the muster roll. 

o Workers will receive delay compensation if wages are not paid on time. 

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

o Workers receive at least one-fourth of the wage rate for the first 30 days. 

o At least one-half of the wage rate for the remaining period. 

• Women-Friendly Provisions: Childcare support will be provided at worksites. 

o A woman worker will be appointed to care for children wherever five or more children below five years are present. 

• Worksite and Labour Provisions: Mandatory facilities include safe drinking water, shade, rest spaces, and first-aid. 

o Contractors are prohibited and labour-displacing machinery cannot be used as far as practicable. 

o If work is provided beyond 5 km from the village, workers receive an additional 10% wage compensation. 

• Attendance and Transparency: Attendance will be captured through a face-authentication-based system with exception mechanisms for connectivity or technical issues. 

o “Janata Boards” displaying work details and expenditure must be installed at worksites. 

o Weekly disclosure meetings and public digital transparency systems are mandated. 

• Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs): All works under the Act must originate from Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) approved by Gram Sabhas. 

o VGPPs are convergence-based local development plans aligned with long-term rural transformation goals. 

Sources :
Newsonair  
PIB   
Economic Times   
Scconline