Viksit Bharat G RAM G Act Replaces MGNREGA, Guaranteeing 125 Days of Rural Employment Annually
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Viksit Bharat - Rozgar aur Aajeevika Guarantee Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G) replaced MGNREGA on July 1, 2026, enhancing the statutory wage employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days per financial year for rural households willing to do unskilled manual work.
- The initiative institutionalizes a 'Whole-of-Government' approach through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPP), leveraging GIS, PM Gati Shakti, and Yuktdhara across 318 permissible work categories centered on water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood support, and climate resilience.
- For FY 2026-27, an interim allocation of ₹93,841 crore has been designated, achieving 61.65% female worker participation and deploying AI-driven analytics, e-KYC, face authentication, and electronic Measurement Books (e-MB) for transparent execution.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
VB-G RAM G guarantees 125 days of unskilled wage employment per household per year (up from 100 days under MGNREGA) and integrates spatial planning via PM Gati Shakti and GIS-based Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPP).
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze how replacing MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G transitions rural welfare from mere safety-net creation to evidence-based, climate-resilient asset generation through bottom-up saturation planning.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the 'Viksit Bharat - Rozgar aur Aajeevika Guarantee Mission (Gramin)' (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. It replaced MGNREGA and enhanced the statutory wage employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days per financial year for rural households. 2. The planning process under Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPP) integrates geospatial digital platforms like PM Gati Shakti, GIS, and Yuktdhara. 3. The Gram Sabha is empowered to give necessary recommendations and statutory approvals for Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is correct as the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 replaced MGNREGA on July 1, 2026, increasing statutory employment from 100 to 125 days per financial year. Statement 2 is correct as the planning framework leverages digital tools like GIS, PM Gati Shakti, and Yuktdhara for evidence-based mapping and planning. Statement 3 is correct because bottom-up planning mandates that the Gram Sabha provides necessary recommendations and approvals for Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPP).
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.