Learn about the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, 2025, its key features, employment guarantee, funding pattern, VGPP, and how it replaces MGNREGA from July 1, 2026. Important for APSC & UPSC (Prelims & Mains).
Blog Source: PIB
Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, 2025
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB–G RAM G] Act, 2025 is a landmark rural employment and development legislation introduced by the Government of India to align rural transformation with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and expands the employment guarantee framework while focusing on sustainable rural infrastructure, convergence-based planning, and climate resilience.
Key Highlights of the Act
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Act Name | Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, 2025 |
| Full Form | Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) |
| Effective Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Replaces | Mahatma Gandhi NREGA |
| Employment Guarantee | 125 days per financial year |
| Target Group | Rural households willing to undertake unskilled manual work |
| Nature | Rights-based statutory employment guarantee |
Transition from MGNREGA to VB–G RAM G
Continuity of Employment
The government has clarified that:
- Employment under MGNREGA will continue uninterrupted till July 2026
- Adequate labour budgets have been allocated
Existing Job Cards
Current MGNREGA Job Cards will remain valid:
- Till new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued
- Subject to completion of e-KYC
Wage Payment and Compensation
Wage Payments
- Wages will be paid weekly or within a fortnight
- Payment through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Deposited into bank or post office accounts
Delay Compensation
If wages are delayed beyond 15 days after muster roll closure:
- Workers receive compensation
- At the rate of 0.05% per day of unpaid wages
Transparency and Accountability Measures
Janata Board at Worksites
Every worksite must display:
- Work details
- Estimated labour days
- Material costs
- Project information
Weekly Public Disclosure
Both digital and physical disclosures will include:
- Muster rolls
- Payments
- Work sanctions
- Progress reports
Use of Contractors and Machinery
The Act prohibits:
- Contractors
- Labour-displacing machinery
Manual labour remains the core principle of the scheme.
Attendance System
Attendance will be captured through:
- Face authentication-based attendance system
Exception handling provisions exist for:
- Poor connectivity
- Technical failures
- Device issues
Application for Employment
Workers may demand employment through:
- Gram Panchayat
- Programme Officer
- Digital platforms
- Written or oral application
Employment must be provided within 15 days of application.
Unemployment Allowance
If employment is not provided within 15 days:
- State Government must pay unemployment allowance
- At least:
- One-fourth of wage rate for first 30 days
- One-half thereafter
Types of Works Permitted
The Act allows works under four thematic categories:
1. Water Security Works
2. Core Rural Infrastructure
3. Livelihood-related Infrastructure
4. Extreme Weather Mitigation Works
Convergence with Other Schemes
The Act promotes a “single-plan, multi-funding” approach.
Convergence can occur with:
- Central schemes
- State schemes
- Local body initiatives
PMAY-G Support
PMAY-G housing works can receive:
- 90/95 person-days wage support
under the Act.
What is VGPP?
The Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP) is a participatory, convergence-based local development plan aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047.
All works under the Act must originate from VGPPs approved by the Gram Sabha.
Importance of VGPP
VGPP ensures:
- Need-based planning
- Saturation-focused development
- Community participation
- Convergence of schemes
- Future-ready rural infrastructure
Role of Gram Panchayats
Gram Panchayats play a central role in implementation by:
- Registering households
- Issuing employment demand receipts
- Executing works
- Maintaining records
- Preparing VGPPs
- Conducting public disclosure meetings
Worksite Facilities
Mandatory facilities include:
- Safe drinking water
- Shade for workers and children
- Rest areas
- First aid box
Funding Pattern Under the Act
| Category | Centre : State Share |
|---|---|
| North Eastern & Himalayan States | 90 : 10 |
| Other States/UTs with Legislature | 60 : 40 |
| UTs without Legislature | 100% Central Funding |
Peak Agricultural Season Provision
To avoid labour shortages during sowing and harvesting seasons:
- State Governments may temporarily suspend works during peak agricultural periods.
Relaxations During Natural Calamities
The Central Government may provide:
- Additional employment days
- Expanded permissible works
- Relaxed documentation norms
During:
- Floods
- Droughts
- Cyclones
- Other extraordinary situations
Material Expenditure Limit
Material component expenditure:
- Cannot exceed 40% at district level
This ensures labour-intensive implementation.
Work Beyond 5 Kilometers
As far as possible, employment will be provided within a radius of 5 kilometers of the applicant’s village. If provided beyond that (but within the Block), workers are paid an extra 10% of the wage rate for transport and living expenses.
District-Level Implementation
- The District Collector or equivalent officer designated by the State Government shall function as the District Programme Coordinator (DPC).
- An officer not below the rank of Block Development Officer shall be appointed as Programme Officer at block level.
APSC/ UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, 2025:
- The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment to rural households.
- Contractors are allowed for execution of works under the Act.
- The Act replaces Mahatma Gandhi NREGA from 1 July 2026.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B
Explained: Statement 2 is wrong because, Contractors are not allowed for execution of works under the Act.
APSC & UPSC Mains Practice Question
Mains Question
Q. Discuss how the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, 2025 seeks to strengthen rural livelihoods, decentralized planning, and climate-resilient infrastructure in India. Also examine its key differences from MGNREGA. (Write in 250 words) 15
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