LAUNCHING OF VB-G RAM-G SCHEME

Key Highlights:

• The Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 came into force on July 1, 2026, across all rural areas.
• This new Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household.
• It is a statutory and demand-driven scheme, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.
• As of July 22, 2026, over 99.5% of employment demands have been met, generating 5.20 Crore persondays across 8.46 lakh worksites.

Detailed Insights:

• The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 strengthens the program by placing greater emphasis on sustainable livelihood creation.
• It focuses on developing durable and productive rural assets, ensuring water security, and promoting climate resilience.
• The Act also incorporates enhanced transparency and technology-enabled governance for better implementation.
• It retains the statutory right for rural households to demand employment and receive unemployment allowance if work is not provided.
• Concerns regarding the replacement of MGNREGA and the demand-driven nature were addressed, clarifying the continuity and enhancement of the program.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025: A new statutory scheme guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment to rural households.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005: A social security measure guaranteeing the 'right to work' for rural households, now replaced by VB-G RAM G.
• Demand-driven employment: A system where employment is provided based on the demand from eligible individuals, rather than fixed quotas.
• Unemployment allowance: Financial assistance provided to eligible individuals if employment is not offered within a specified period of demanding work.