Shillong, Jun 16: The central government has notified the commencement of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025 (VB-G RAM G) across all rural areas of the country from July 1, 2026.
With this, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005 will stand repealed.
The central government argues that the VB-G RAM G Act enhances the statutory employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days per financial year for all rural households whose adult members are willing to volunteer for unskilled manual work. This expanded guarantee is designed to strengthen livelihood security, improve income stability, support rural consumption and provide greater resilience to vulnerable households, aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The act has been criticised by opposition parties, notably the Congress Party, under whom MGNREGA was introduced.
The Centre has said the transition from MGNREGA to the new law will be “seamless and uninterrupted”. Incomplete public assets and ongoing projects will be prioritised for completion.
The funding patterns for states under the scheme is 90:10 for North East and Himalayan states, 60:40 for other states and Union Territories with legislatures, and 100 percent central funding for Union Territories without legislatures.
