India’s Rural Revolution: Decoding the VB-GRAM G Act 2025 – 125 Days of Guaranteed Work & AI Governance
Summary: The Government of India has launched the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-GRAM G Act, 2025. This landmark legislation replaces traditional wage schemes with a statutory 125-day employment guarantee, powered by AI, geospatial mapping, and PM Gati Shakti to build a climate-resilient, modern rural India by 2047.
The landscape of rural India is shifting from "survival" to "stability." In a significant parliamentary update on February 6, 2026, Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, unveiled the operational core of the VB-GRAM G Act, 2025.
This isn't just a policy update; it is a high-tech overhaul of the rural safety net. By integrating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with a 25% increase in guaranteed workdays, the government is betting big on the "Viksit Bharat" vision.
Under Schedule I, Para 3 of the new Act, the central government has officially increased the employment limit.
This ensures that rural households have an additional month of financial cushion, specifically targeted at adult members volunteering for unskilled manual labor.
The Act moves away from ad-hoc digging to creating high-value assets. All public works will now aggregate into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, focusing on:
To eliminate leakage and corruption, the VB-GRAM G Act mandates a "Digital First" approach:
As per Section 22, the scheme remains a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, but with a clear fiscal roadmap:
Q1: What is the main difference between MGNREGA and VB-GRAM G?
While MGNREGA focused on 100 days of work, VB-GRAM G guarantees 125 days and uses AI and Geospatial systems for planning, making it more tech-heavy and infrastructure-focused.
Q2: How does the Act help during farming seasons?
The Act specifically includes provisions to facilitate farm-labour availability during peak agricultural seasons, ensuring that the employment guarantee does not create a labor shortage for farmers.
Q3: Can the work be planned at the local level?
Yes. Works are identified through a participatory process in the Gram Sabha and approved via the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans.
#VBGRAMG #RuralEmploymentIndia #ViksitBharat2047
The landscape of rural India is shifting from "survival" to "stability." In a significant parliamentary update on February 6, 2026, Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, unveiled the operational core of the VB-GRAM G Act, 2025.
This isn't just a policy update; it is a high-tech overhaul of the rural safety net. By integrating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with a 25% increase in guaranteed workdays, the government is betting big on the "Viksit Bharat" vision.
The 125-Day Statutory Guarantee: A New Safety Net
Under Schedule I, Para 3 of the new Act, the central government has officially increased the employment limit.
- Old Standard: 100 Days (MGNREGA)
- New Standard: 125 Days (VB-GRAM G)
This ensures that rural households have an additional month of financial cushion, specifically targeted at adult members volunteering for unskilled manual labor.
The "Viksit Bharat" Infrastructure Stack
The Act moves away from ad-hoc digging to creating high-value assets. All public works will now aggregate into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, focusing on:
- Water Security: Massive investment in drought-proofing and water harvesting.
- Climate Resilience: Special works designed to mitigate "extreme weather events"-a first for Indian employment law.
- Convergent Planning: Projects are no longer isolated; they are part of the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, mapped via PM Gati Shakti for maximum economic impact.
Smart Governance: No More Ghost Workers
To eliminate leakage and corruption, the VB-GRAM G Act mandates a "Digital First" approach:
- Biometric & GPS: Mandatory biometric attendance and GPS-tagged worksite monitoring.
- AI-Powered Audits: The use of Artificial Intelligence to predict fraud risks and automate social audits.
- Real-time Dashboards: Every rupee spent is visible on public MIS dashboards for total transparency.
Funding & Finance: The 90:10 and 60:40 Split
As per Section 22, the scheme remains a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, but with a clear fiscal roadmap:
| Category | Central Government Share | State Government Share |
|---|---|---|
| NE & Himalayan States (UT of J&K, HP, UK) | 90% | 10% |
| All Other States & UTs with Legislature | 60% | 40% |
FAQ
Q1: What is the main difference between MGNREGA and VB-GRAM G?
While MGNREGA focused on 100 days of work, VB-GRAM G guarantees 125 days and uses AI and Geospatial systems for planning, making it more tech-heavy and infrastructure-focused.
Q2: How does the Act help during farming seasons?
The Act specifically includes provisions to facilitate farm-labour availability during peak agricultural seasons, ensuring that the employment guarantee does not create a labor shortage for farmers.
Q3: Can the work be planned at the local level?
Yes. Works are identified through a participatory process in the Gram Sabha and approved via the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans.
#VBGRAMG #RuralEmploymentIndia #ViksitBharat2047
Post a Comment