VB-G RAM G: when a policy shift meets rural realities

14 FEBRUARY 2026

VB-G RAM G stands for Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin).
It is a new rural employment law enacted in 2025 that replaces the long-standing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
VB-G RAM G is a statutory (legal) framework passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2025 and came into force after Presidential assent.
It is designed to align rural employment policies with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, focusing on employment, rural infrastructure, poverty reduction and livelihood enhancement.

Key Features

1. Replaces MGNREGA

The new Act has formally replaced MGNREGA, which had been India’s flagship rural employment guarantee law since 2005.

2. Increased Employment Guarantee

Provides a guaranteed 125 days of unskilled wage employment per rural household per financial year (up from 100 days under MGNREGA).

3. Focus on Rural Development

Rural jobs under VB-G RAM G are strategically linked to public works that build lasting infrastructure, such as Water security and water-related works core rural infrastructure,
livelihood-related infrastructure and climate-resilient works to mitigate extreme weather effects

4. New Planning & Implementation Structure

Local Gram Panchayats prepare Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans that feed into a national rural development platform.

5. Funding Changes

Funding for the programme is now shared between the Centre and State governments (typically 60:40), unlike MGNREGA which was fully funded by the Centre.

6. Seasonal Flexibility

States can pause rural works for up to 60 days during peak sowing/harvest seasons to ensure agricultural labour availability.

7. Digital Monitoring & Transparency

The Act emphasizes digital systems, biometric attendance, geo-tagging and other tools to reduce corruption and improve monitoring.

MGNREGA vs VB-G RAM G

Feature	MGNREGA (2005)	VB-G RAM G (2025)
Employment Guaranteed	100 days/year	125 days/year
Funding	100% Centre funded	Shared Centre-State (e.g., 60:40)
Planning Approach	Demand-driven	Integrated rural planning with defined priorities
Priority Works	General rural jobs	Core rural infrastructure & livelihood assets