Centre notifies VB G RAM G to replace MGNREGA nationwide from July 1
Synopsis
India's decades-old MGNREGA is being replaced by VB G RAM G from 1 July 2025, with guaranteed employment days rising from 100 to 125, a combined Central-state outlay exceeding ₹1,51,000 crore, and a three-day payment target. The transition reframes rural jobs policy around productivity and Viksit Bharat 2047 — a structural shift, not just a rebrand.
Key Takeaways
The Centre notified VB G RAM G on 11 May 2025 , replacing MGNREGA from 1 July 2025 .
Guaranteed employment days rise from 100 to 125 days per year for rural labourers.
Combined Central and state financial outlay will exceed ₹1,51,000 crore .
Payments to labourers are targeted within three days , with compensation for delays.
Existing MGNREGA e-KYC job cards remain valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
States have six months to prepare; those unready by July 1 will operate under the Viksit Bharat @ 2047 scheme.
The Centre on Monday, 11 May 2025 officially notified the commencement of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB G RAM G, a new rural employment guarantee scheme set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) across all rural areas of India from 1 July 2025. The landmark notification marks the most significant overhaul of India's rural jobs guarantee framework in two decades.
Key Changes Under VB G RAM G
The most immediate shift is an increase in guaranteed employment days — from 100 days to 125 days per year for rural labourers seeking work. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, briefing the press on the transition, said,
Point of View
But the real test lies in execution: India's rural job guarantee has historically struggled with delayed wages, ghost beneficiaries, and uneven state capacity. The three-day payment target is ambitious given that average wage payment delays under MGNREGA have at times stretched to weeks. The six-month state preparation window is tight, and the fallback to the 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047' scheme for laggard states introduces a parallel-track risk that could fragment delivery on the ground.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VB G RAM G and how does it differ from MGNREGA?
VB G RAM G (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin) is a new rural employment guarantee scheme that replaces MGNREGA from 1 July 2025. The key difference is an increase in guaranteed employment days from 100 to 125 per year, a larger combined outlay exceeding ₹1,51,000 crore, and a three-day wage payment target.
When does MGNREGA officially end?
MGNREGA will stand repealed from 1 July 2025, the same date VB G RAM G comes into effect. Until then, work under MGNREGA will continue as usual during the interim transition period.
Will existing MGNREGA job cards remain valid under the new scheme?
Yes. Existing e-KYC verified MGNREGA job cards will remain valid under VB G RAM G until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued. Workers without job cards may also continue to register at the Gram Panchayat level and cannot be denied employment due to pending e-KYC.
What happens if a state is not ready by July 1?
States that fail to complete the necessary preparations by 1 July 2025 will have work proceed directly under the 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047' scheme, according to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
What is the financial outlay for VB G RAM G?
The combined financial outlays from both the Central and state governments are expected to exceed ₹1,51,000 crore, according to the minister's briefing on 11 May 2025.
