VB-G RAM G Scheme 2026: Everything Rural Families Need to Know About India's New 125-Day Job Guarantee
From 1 July 2026, India's rural employment system runs on a new law. The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, known as VB-G RAM G, has taken over from MGNREGA, and it changes more than just the name. Guaranteed work goes up from 100 days a year to 125. Wages have been revised upward in every state. A new job card is on its way. And for the first time, the law sets aside a fixed share of work for women and puts a hard stop on contractors.
If you already hold an MGNREGA job card, or you are trying to figure out whether your family qualifies for work under the new scheme, this guide walks through the notification, the wage table, the application steps, and what actually changes on the ground.
Quick Snapshot: VB-G RAM G Act 2026
| Detail | Information |
| Full name of Act | Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 |
| Short name | VB-G RAM G (also called Viksit Bharat Ji Ram Ji) |
| Act number | 36 of 2025 |
| Nodal ministry | Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India |
| Gazette notifications | S.O. 2382(E) and S.O. 2383(E), dated 11 May 2026 |
| Date the Act took effect | 1 July 2026, across all states and Union Territories |
| MGNREGA status | Repealed with effect from 1 July 2026 |
| Employment guarantee | 125 days per household per financial year (up from 100 days) |
| FY 2026-27 central allocation | Rs 95,692.31 crore (interim) |
| Total outlay with state share | Above Rs 1.51 lakh crore |
| Interim minimum wage | Rs 300 per day |
| National launch event | 2 July 2026, Mukkavaripalli village, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh |
What Is the VB-G RAM G Act, and Why Was MGNREGA Replaced?
VB-G RAM G stands for Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). Parliament passed the Act in December 2025, and it received presidential assent on 21 December 2025. Rather than simply renaming MGNREGA, the government built a law that ties rural wage employment to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, with a stronger focus on durable assets, climate resilience, and livelihood infrastructure alongside wage work.
- VB-G RAM G Scheme 2026: Everything Rural Families Need to Know About India's New 125-Day Job Guarantee
- Quick Snapshot: VB-G RAM G Act 2026
- What Is the VB-G RAM G Act, and Why Was MGNREGA Replaced?
- The Official Notification: What the Gazette Actually Says
- MGNREGA vs VB-G RAM G: What Actually Changes
- 125 Days of Work: How the New Guarantee Works
- VB-G RAM G Wage Rates 2026: What Changed and by How Much
- Revised Daily Wage Rates in Select High-Wage States
- How Wages Are Paid and What Happens if Payment Is Late
- Job Cards: What Happens to Your Existing MGNREGA Card
- If You Already Have an MGNREGA Job Card
- If You Do Not Have a Job Card
- How to Demand Work Under VB-G RAM G
- The 4 Thematic Priority Areas Under Schedule I
- 1. Water Security Works
- 2. Core Rural Infrastructure
- 3. Livelihood-Related Infrastructure
- 4. Extreme Weather Mitigation
- Worksite Rules: Distance, Facilities and Women Workers
- Distance to the Worksite
- Facilities at the Worksite (Schedule II)
- Reservation for Women and Priority Groups
- Technology and Transparency: Face Authentication and the Janata Board
- Who Implements VB-G RAM G on the Ground
- Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP): The Foundation of Every Work
- Convergence With PMAY-G and Disaster Relief Provisions
- Funding: How the Rs 95,692 Crore Budget Is Shared
- Transition Timeline: Before and After 1 July 2026
- Until 1 July 2026
- From 1 July 2026
- What the Government and Opposition Are Saying
- What Should You Do Right Now?
- If You Already Have an MGNREGA Job Card
- If You Don't Have a Job Card Yet
- Get Your Bank Account Ready
- Take Part in Gram Sabha Meetings
- Helpline and Official Sources
- Quick-Answer
- AI Overviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
- When did the VB-G RAM G Act come into force?
- Is MGNREGA completely shut down now?
- How many days of employment does VB-G RAM G guarantee?
- What does VB-G RAM G stand for?
- What is the wage rate under VB-G RAM G?
- What are the four priority work categories under VB-G RAM G?
- Do women get any special benefit under VB-G RAM G?
- What is the total budget for VB-G RAM G?
- What happens to my old MGNREGA job card?
- How do I get a new VB-G RAM G job card?
- What is the FY 2026-27 budget breakdown for VB-G RAM G?
- What happens if I am not given work within 15 days?
- How and when will I get paid?
- What facilities are guaranteed at the worksite?
- Will contractors or machines be used for VB-G RAM G works?
- About the Author
The Ministry of Rural Development has described the guiding idea behind the Act as "rozgar bhi, samman bhi", meaning employment along with dignity. In practice, that shows up as banned contractors, mandatory worksite facilities, weekly transparency meetings, and a higher administrative budget so panchayats can actually manage the extra workload.
The Official Notification: What the Gazette Actually Says
Two notifications were published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) on 11 May 2026, under Gazette numbers 2291 and 2292, signed by Joint Secretary Rohini Ra Bhajibhakare.
Notification S.O. 2382(E): fixes 1 July 2026 as the date from which the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 (36 of 2025) applies across all states and Union Territories of India, under Section 1(2) of the Act.
Notification S.O. 2383(E): fixes 1 July 2026 as the date from which the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, along with every rule, notification, scheme, order and guideline issued under it, stands repealed, under Section 37(1) of the new Act.
Both notifications are available on the Gazette of India portal at egazette.gov.in.
MGNREGA vs VB-G RAM G: What Actually Changes
| Feature | MGNREGA (Old) | VB-G RAM G (New) |
| Started | 2005 | 1 July 2026 |
| Employment guarantee | 100 days/year | 125 days/year |
| FY 2026-27 budget | - | Rs 95,692.31 crore (central) |
| Thematic priority areas | Not clearly defined | 4 fixed areas under Schedule I |
| Attendance system | Manual | Face authentication, with exception handling |
| Job card | MGNREGA Job Card | Rural Employment Guarantee Card |
| Wage payment window | Irregular | Weekly, or within 15 days maximum |
| Delay compensation | Limited enforcement | 0.05% per day from the 16th day |
| Administrative expense cap | 6% | 9% |
| Social audit | Annual | Weekly public disclosure + weekly Gram Sabha meeting |
| Contractors | Restricted | Fully banned |
| Machinery use | Permitted in cases | Labour-displacing machinery restricted as far as possible |
| Gram Panchayat role | Moderate | Central; prepares the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP) |
| Climate focus | Limited | Dedicated Extreme Weather Mitigation category |
125 Days of Work: How the New Guarantee Works
Every rural household's adult members are now legally entitled to 125 days of unskilled manual wage employment per financial year, a 25-day jump from the old 100-day MGNREGA guarantee. The Ministry's PIB backgrounder frames the extra 25 days as a way to strengthen livelihood security, smooth out household income, and support rural consumption, especially in the lean months between agricultural seasons.
States also get some flexibility here. State governments can notify up to 60 non-work days in a financial year, typically timed around peak sowing and harvesting, so farm labour isn't pulled away from the fields when it's needed most. The 125-day guarantee still stands in full; it simply gets distributed across the rest of the year.
VB-G RAM G Wage Rates 2026: What Changed and by How Much
The Ministry of Rural Development notified revised wage rates on 30 June 2026, effective from 1 July across all 34 states, Union Territories and wage zones. The national average daily wage moved from Rs 298.8 to Rs 327.4, a rise of about Rs 28.6 per day, or a bit over 10% on average nationwide.
An interim minimum wage of Rs 300 per day now applies everywhere; no state can pay below that floor. Twenty-one states and administrative units were raised directly to this Rs 300 floor. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam received increases between 15% and 25%. The steepest hikes went to Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, up roughly 24.5%.
Revised Daily Wage Rates in Select High-Wage States
| State / Region | Revised Daily Wage |
| Sikkim (hill Gram Panchayat areas) | Rs 450 per day |
| Haryana | Rs 409 per day |
| Goa | Rs 406 per day |
| Kerala | Rs 401 per day |
If your state or district isn't shown here, wage notifications are published state-wise by the respective Rural Development departments; your Gram Panchayat office or the state RD department portal will have the exact figure for your area.
Until a state's revised rate is formally notified, the existing MGNREGA wage rate for that state continues to apply, so nobody is left without a wage figure during the transition.
How Wages Are Paid and What Happens if Payment Is Late
- Wages are paid weekly, or at most within 15 days of the muster roll closing.
- Payment is made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) straight into the worker's bank or post office account.
- If payment is delayed past 15 days, the worker is legally entitled to delay compensation of 0.05% per day, starting from the 16th day.
This delay compensation is written into the Act itself, so it isn't a discretionary payment; workers can and should ask for it if their wages are late.
Job Cards: What Happens to Your Existing MGNREGA Card
If You Already Have an MGNREGA Job Card
According to the Ministry's official FAQ, existing MGNREGA job cards with completed e-KYC remain valid until the new Rural Employment Guarantee Card is issued. Pending e-KYC alone cannot be used as a reason to deny someone work. There's nothing extra you need to do right now; your card carries over automatically as the new cards roll out.
If You Do Not Have a Job Card
Rural households without an existing job card can apply directly at the Gram Panchayat office. Here's the process:
- Visit your local Gram Panchayat office.
- Any adult member of the household can submit the application.
- Provide the names, ages and address details of all household members.
- Carry Aadhaar cards and bank passbooks for the household.
- The Gram Panchayat issues the new Rural Employment Guarantee Card.
How to Demand Work Under VB-G RAM G
There are three ways to formally request employment under the Act:
- Verbally, at the Gram Panchayat or to the Programme Officer.
- In writing, using Form-6.
- Through the digital platform maintained by the Ministry.
The law requires that work be provided within 15 days of a valid demand. If that doesn't happen, the state government owes the worker an unemployment allowance: at least one-fourth of the notified wage rate for the first 30 days of the financial year without work, rising to at least one-half of the wage rate for any period beyond that.
The 4 Thematic Priority Areas Under Schedule I
All new works sanctioned under VB-G RAM G must fall under one of four categories set out in Schedule I of the Act:
1. Water Security Works
- Irrigation support structures
- Groundwater recharge
- Rejuvenation of water bodies
- Watershed development
- Rainwater harvesting
- Afforestation
2. Core Rural Infrastructure
- Rural roads
- Public buildings
- School infrastructure
- Anganwadi centres
- Sanitation systems
- Renewable energy infrastructure
- Housing-linked works
3. Livelihood-Related Infrastructure
- Rural markets
- Storage infrastructure
- Food processing units
- Cold storage
- Livestock infrastructure
- Fisheries infrastructure
- Skill development centres
4. Extreme Weather Mitigation
- Flood management structures
- Embankments
- Cyclone shelters
- Post-disaster restoration
- Forest fire management
Which specific works get taken up in a village is decided through the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan, explained below, and must be approved by the Gram Sabha before work starts.
Worksite Rules: Distance, Facilities and Women Workers
Distance to the Worksite
As far as possible, work should be provided within a 5-kilometre radius of the worker's village. If suitable work is only available beyond that distance but still within the same block, the worker is entitled to an additional 10% of the wage rate as a travel and living allowance.
Facilities at the Worksite (Schedule II)
- Clean drinking water
- A shaded rest area for children
- A first aid box
Childcare provision: if a worksite has five or more children under the age of five present, one woman worker must be appointed for childcare duties, and she is paid the full notified wage rate for that work.
Reservation for Women and Priority Groups
At least 33% of employment opportunities under VB-G RAM G are reserved for women. Widows, persons with disabilities, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households, and residents of less-developed panchayat areas also get priority in work allocation.
Technology and Transparency: Face Authentication and the Janata Board
Attendance at worksites is now recorded through a face authentication system, with an exception-handling process built in for network or technical failures, so a bad signal day doesn't cost someone their wage record.
Every worksite must also display a Janata Board (public information board) showing the work description, estimated labour days, material quantities, and item-wise costs. This sits alongside a weekly public disclosure system, covering muster rolls, payments and approvals, in both digital and physical formats. Gram Panchayats are required to hold a weekly disclosure meeting where this information is presented to the community.
Who Implements VB-G RAM G on the Ground
- District level: the District Collector, or an equivalent officer, functions as the District Programme Coordinator (DPC).
- Block level: the Block Development Officer (BDO), or someone of higher rank, acts as the Programme Officer.
- Gram Panchayat level: panchayats register households, receive employment applications, execute works, maintain records, and prepare the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan.
Two restrictions run through the entire implementation structure: contractors are completely barred from taking up VB-G RAM G works, and labour-displacing machinery is restricted wherever possible, so that manual labour, not machines, does the bulk of the work and captures the bulk of the wages.
Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP): The Foundation of Every Work
The VGPP is a convergence-based, forward-looking local development plan that each Gram Panchayat is expected to prepare, built on participatory and evidence-based planning that aligns with the broader Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
Every work carried out under the Act has to originate from an approved VGPP, and the Gram Sabha must sign off on it. This is meant to keep planning need-based, convergence-oriented and focused on saturating genuine local demand, rather than works being handed down without community input.
Convergence With PMAY-G and Disaster Relief Provisions
Under VB-G RAM G, wage assistance of 90 to 95 person-days can be drawn for PMAY-G housing construction works, part of what the Ministry calls a single-plan, multi-funding approach that links housing and employment goals together.
The central government also retains discretion to grant special relaxations during natural disasters, on a state government's recommendation. This can mean expanding the list of permissible works, increasing wage employment, or easing documentation requirements in extraordinary circumstances.
Funding: How the Rs 95,692 Crore Budget Is Shared
The FY 2026-27 central allocation of Rs 95,692.31 crore is the largest budget-estimate-stage allocation ever made for a rural employment programme in India. Including the state share, total programme spending is expected to cross Rs 1.51 lakh crore.
| Region | Central Share | State Share |
| North-East and Himalayan states | 90% | 10% |
| Other states / UTs with a legislature | 60% | 40% |
| UTs without a legislature | 100% | 0% |
The Ministry has said most states will receive roughly Rs 17,000 crore more than their average allocation over the past seven years, and the administrative expense ceiling has been raised from 6% to 9%, giving panchayats more room to actually manage the scheme rather than stretch thin budgets across both wages and administration.
Transition Timeline: Before and After 1 July 2026
Until 1 July 2026
- MGNREGA continued without interruption.
- States received adequate labour budgets to keep it running.
- Additional employment opportunities and timely wage payments were ensured during the handover period.
From 1 July 2026
- MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed.
- Ongoing works continue seamlessly under VB-G RAM G.
- New works must follow the Schedule I categories.
- No public asset under construction will be left incomplete because of the transition.
States are required to notify their own state-level VB-G RAM G schemes within six months of the Act coming into force. As of the rollout date, 29 states and Union Territories had made budget provisions for the Act, and 24 states had already notified their state schemes.
What the Government and Opposition Are Saying
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government's priority is that no eligible rural worker goes without a single day of work, and that the Centre and states worked together on the administrative, financial and technical groundwork needed to launch the scheme.
Opposition parties and some rural employment activists have raised concerns about the shift, questioning whether the new structure could affect the demand-driven nature of the scheme, the role of states and panchayats, and whether enough funds will actually reach the ground once the scheme scales up nationally. The government maintains that the new framework strengthens rural livelihood security, improves asset creation, and makes employment generation more effective.
The Act's national launch took place on 2 July 2026 at Mukkavaripalli village in Obulavaripalle mandal, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, where Rural Employment Guarantee Cards were distributed and awareness material about the mission was released.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If You Already Have an MGNREGA Job Card
- Complete your e-KYC immediately if you haven't already.
- Keep your Aadhaar linked to your bank account.
- Hold on to your existing card; it stays valid past 1 July 2026 until the new one is issued.
If You Don't Have a Job Card Yet
- Visit your Gram Panchayat office.
- Submit the names, ages and addresses of household members.
- Carry your Aadhaar card and bank passbook.
- Apply for the Rural Employment Guarantee Card.
Get Your Bank Account Ready
An Aadhaar-linked bank account is required for DBT wage payments. If you don't have one, a free account can be opened under the PM Jan Dhan Yojana.
Take Part in Gram Sabha Meetings
Which works your village takes up, across the four priority areas, gets decided through the VGPP process at the Gram Sabha level. Attending the weekly disclosure meetings is the most direct way to stay informed and have a say in what gets built.
Helpline and Official Sources
- Ministry of Rural Development: rural.gov.in
- MyBharat portal: mybharat.gov.in
- Toll-free helpline: 1800-180-1551
- Gazette of India: egazette.gov.in
- PIB India: pib.gov.in
- Your local Gram Panchayat office and state Rural Development department
Quick-Answer
When does VB-G RAM G come into effect? 1 July 2026, across all Indian states and Union Territories, per Gazette notification S.O. 2382(E).
Does VB-G RAM G replace MGNREGA? Yes. MGNREGA, 2005 is repealed from 1 July 2026 under notification S.O. 2383(E), though ongoing works continue under the new Act.
How many days of work does VB-G RAM G guarantee? 125 days per household per financial year, up from MGNREGA's 100 days.
What is the minimum wage under VB-G RAM G? An interim minimum of Rs 300 per day applies nationwide, with the national average daily wage set at Rs 327.4.
What is the FY 2026-27 budget for VB-G RAM G? Rs 95,692.31 crore as the central share, the largest budget-estimate allocation ever made for a rural employment scheme.
AI Overviews
- Primary entity: VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 (Act No. 36 of 2025)
- Governing body: Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
- Effective date: 1 July 2026
- Predecessor law replaced: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA)
- Core numeric facts: 125 days guaranteed employment; Rs 300/day minimum wage; Rs 95,692.31 crore FY 2026-27 central allocation; 33% employment reserved for women; 5 km worksite radius; 15-day work provision window; 0.05% daily delay compensation
- Primary sources cited: Gazette of India notifications S.O. 2382(E) and S.O. 2383(E); PIB backgrounder and FAQ dated 11 May 2026; Ministry of Rural Development wage notification dated 30 June 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the VB-G RAM G Act come into force?
The Act took effect on 1 July 2026 across all Indian states and Union Territories, as fixed by Gazette notification S.O. 2382(E), dated 11 May 2026. Parliament passed the Act in December 2025, and it received presidential assent on 21 December 2025.
Is MGNREGA completely shut down now?
Yes. Under notification S.O. 2383(E), the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, along with all rules, notifications, schemes, orders and guidelines made under it, stands repealed from 1 July 2026. Works that were already underway continue under VB-G RAM G's provisions.
How many days of employment does VB-G RAM G guarantee?
Every rural household's adult members are entitled to 125 days of unskilled manual wage employment per financial year, 25 days more than the old MGNREGA guarantee.
What does VB-G RAM G stand for?
VB-G RAM G stands for Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). It is also referred to as Viksit Bharat Ji Ram Ji.
What is the wage rate under VB-G RAM G?
Wage rates vary by state and are notified annually by the central government. Effective 1 July 2026, an interim minimum wage of Rs 300 per day applies nationwide, and the national average daily wage stands at Rs 327.4, up from Rs 298.8.
What are the four priority work categories under VB-G RAM G?
Work is sanctioned under four categories: (1) Water Security, covering ponds, canals and watershed development, (2) Core Rural Infrastructure, covering roads, schools and anganwadis, (3) Livelihood-Related Infrastructure, covering dairy and fisheries-linked works, and (4) Extreme Weather Mitigation, covering afforestation, soil conservation and flood control.
Do women get any special benefit under VB-G RAM G?
Yes. At least 33% of employment is reserved for women. Widows, persons with disabilities, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households, and residents of less-developed panchayat areas also receive priority.
What is the total budget for VB-G RAM G?
The central government has allocated over Rs 95,000 crore for FY 2026-27, with the total programme outlay, including the state share, expected to cross Rs 1.51 lakh crore. The administrative expense ceiling has also been raised from 6% to 9%.
What happens to my old MGNREGA job card?
If your e-KYC is complete, your existing MGNREGA job card remains valid until the new Rural Employment Guarantee Card is issued. Pending e-KYC alone cannot be used to deny you work, and no extra action is required; your card carries over automatically.
How do I get a new VB-G RAM G job card?
Households without an existing job card can apply at their Gram Panchayat office. Any adult household member can submit the application, along with the names, ages and addresses of all household members. The Gram Panchayat then issues the Rural Employment Guarantee Card.
What is the FY 2026-27 budget breakdown for VB-G RAM G?
As per the Ministry's 11 May 2026 backgrounder, Rs 95,692.31 crore has been provisioned as the central share for FY 2026-27, the highest budget-estimate-stage allocation for any rural employment programme so far. Including the state share, total programme outlay is expected to exceed Rs 1.51 lakh crore.
What happens if I am not given work within 15 days?
Providing employment within 15 days of a valid demand is mandatory. If this doesn't happen, the state government must pay an unemployment allowance: at least one-fourth of the notified wage rate for the first 30 days of the financial year, and at least one-half of the wage rate for any period beyond that.
How and when will I get paid?
Wages are paid weekly, or at most within 15 days of the muster roll closing, directly into your bank or post office account through DBT. If payment is delayed beyond 15 days, you are entitled to compensation of 0.05% per day starting from the 16th day.
What facilities are guaranteed at the worksite?
Under Schedule II of the Act, worksites must provide clean drinking water, a shaded rest area for children, and a first aid box. If five or more children under age five are present at a worksite, one woman worker must be appointed for childcare duties, paid the full notified wage rate.
Will contractors or machines be used for VB-G RAM G works?
No. The Act completely bars the use of contractors, and labour-displacing machinery is restricted as far as possible. Work is carried out through manual labour, so that the maximum share of employment goes to rural workers.
About the Author
PPSingh writes on Indian government schemes, tax and legal topics, and rural welfare policy for Talkaaj.com and LegalPehchan.com. Coverage focuses on breaking down official notifications, ministry FAQs and Gazette orders into plain-language guides that help readers understand what a scheme actually changes for them and how to apply for it. All figures in this article are sourced from official Gazette notifications and Ministry of Rural Development press material.