Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Act, 2025
Viksit Bharat G-RAM G Act 2025: India Overhauls MGNREGA with 125-Day Job Guarantee
Summary: India marks a historic shift in rural policy as the President gives assent to the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Act, 2025. Replacing the 20-year-old MGNREGA, this new law increases the work guarantee to 125 days, integrates AI for monitoring, and aligns rural labor with national infrastructure goals through the PM Gati Shakti platform.
The landscape of rural India is witnessing a tectonic shift. For nearly two decades, MGNREGA was the lifeline for millions, but as India marches towards its "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision, a more robust, tech-savvy, and infrastructure-oriented framework has emerged.
The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, has officially received Presidential assent, effectively replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Why the Change? Moving Beyond "Digging Holes"
While MGNREGA was instrumental in reducing poverty, the government noted that rural India has evolved. With poverty dropping to 5.3% (2022-23) and digital penetration reaching the remotest corners, a "one-size-fits-all" demand-driven model faced structural limits. The new Act seeks to transform rural labor into a workforce that builds durable national assets.
Key Highlights of the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025
The new law isn't just a name change; it’s a complete legislative reset. Here are the major upgrades:
- 125 Days of Work: A 25% increase from the previous 100-day limit, ensuring better income security.
- The "Agricultural Pause": To prevent labor shortages during peak farming seasons, states can notify an aggregated 60-day no-work period during sowing and harvesting.
- Four Priority Verticals: Work will now focus on Water Security, Core Infrastructure, Livelihood Assets, and Climate Resilience.
- Weekly Payments: Wages will be disbursed weekly, or at most within 14 days, using the Aadhaar-Based Payment System.
- AI & Biometrics: The Act mandates the use of Artificial Intelligence and biometric authentication to eliminate "ghost workers" and corruption.
MGNREGA vs. VB-G RAM G: What’s Different?
| Feature | MGNREGA (2005) | VB-G RAM G (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed Days | 100 Days | 125 Days |
| Funding Model | Central Sector (100% Wage) | Centrally Sponsored (60:40 Share) |
| Planning | Demand-driven (Bottom-up) | Saturation-mode (Viksit GP Plans) |
| Tech Integration | Basic Geo-tagging | AI, Biometrics & PM Gati Shakti |
| Admin Cap | 6% Expenditure | 9% (More staff & training) |
Empowering the Gram Panchayat
The Act places the steering wheel back in the hands of the local community. Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans will be the starting point for all works. These plans are digitally integrated with PM Gati Shakti, ensuring that a road built in a village aligns with the broader national logistics network.
Final Thoughts
The transition from MGNREGA to VB-G RAM G signifies India's confidence in its rural digital infrastructure. By linking employment to climate resilience and core infrastructure, the government aims to turn "unskilled manual labor" into a "mission-mode" development engine.
Keywords: Viksit Bharat G RAM G Act, MGNREGA vs VB-G RAM G, Rural Employment India 2025
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