Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025
Table of Contents
For nearly two decades, MGNREGA has been the backbone of India’s rural employment framework. Introduced in 2005, it guaranteed 100 days of wage employment to rural households and played a major role in poverty alleviation and asset creation.
In December 2025, the Union Government introduced a landmark legislation the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM G) formally replacing MGNREGA and aligning rural employment with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Viksit Bharat Guarantee Brings 125-Day Employment Promise
What Is VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025?
The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 establishes a new statutory rural employment framework that:
- Replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
- Enhances guaranteed employment from 100 days to 125 days
- Focuses on growth-oriented rural infrastructure, convergence, and saturation planning
MGNREGA vs VB-G RAM G: Key Differences
| Feature | MGNREG Act (2005) | VB-G RAM G (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed days | 100 days | 125 days |
| Vision alignment | Poverty relief | Viksit Bharat @2047 |
| Planning base | Annual shelf of works | Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans |
| Technology use | Limited | GIS, biometric, AI, dashboards |
| Infrastructure | Asset creation | National Rural Infrastructure Stack |
| Status | Repealed | In force (proposed) |
Why Was MGNREG Act Replaced?
The Government cited structural transformation of rural India as the reason:
- Increased rural connectivity, housing, electrification
- Higher digital penetration and financial inclusion
- Need for climate-resilient infrastructure
- Shift from relief-centric to growth-centric rural policy
Thus, MGNREGA was considered insufficient for future aspirations.
Core Features of VB-G RAM Gramin Bill, 2025
1. Statutory Guarantee of 125 Days
- Every rural household volunteering for unskilled manual work
- Applies across notified rural areas
- Wages payable weekly or within 15 days
2. Four Thematic Domains of Works
The scheme aggregates all works into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack:
- Water Security (ponds, irrigation, recharge)
- Core Rural Infrastructure (roads, schools, sanitation)
- Livelihood Infrastructure (markets, storage, skill centres)
- Extreme Weather Mitigation (cyclone shelters, flood works)
3. Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs)
- Bottom-up, GIS-based participatory planning
- Integrated with PM Gati Shakti
- Plans aggregated from Gram → Block → District → State → National
This replaces the traditional MGNREGA shelf-of-works model.
Institutional Framework
- Central Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council
- State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Councils
- National & State Level Steering Committees
- District Programme Coordinator
- Programme Officer (Block level)
Fund Sharing Pattern
| Region | Centre : State |
|---|---|
| North East & Himalayan States | 90 : 10 |
| Other States | 60 : 40 |
| Union Territories without legislature (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, and Ladakh) | 100% Centre |
Employment Rights & Allowances
- Employment must be provided within 15 days
- Failing which, unemployment allowance is mandatory
- Minimum allowance:
- ¼ wage rate for first 30 days
- ½ wage rate thereafter
Technology-Enabled Transparency
- Biometric attendance
- Geo-tagged works
- Real-time dashboards
- Weekly public disclosures
- AI-based fraud detection
- Mandatory social audits by Gram Sabha
Does Coastal Regulation Zone / Existing Assets Get Affected?
No. All assets, liabilities, ongoing works, audits, and legal proceedings under MGNREGA are protected through saving clauses and continue under VB-G RAM Gramin.
Why VB-G RAM G Is Important for Competitive Exams
- Replaces MGNREGA a core syllabus topic
- Links rural employment with Viksit Bharat @2047
- Introduces new councils, planning tools, fund ratios
- High probability for Prelims + Mains + Interview questions
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FAQs on MGNREGA & VB-G RAM G
Is MGNREGA abolished?
Yes. The MGNREGA Act, 2005 is repealed once VB-G RAM G comes into force.
How many days of employment are guaranteed now?
125 days per rural household per financial year.
Who implements the new scheme?
Gram Panchayats, Programme Officers, District Programme Coordinators under State & Central Councils.
Are wage rates changed?
Until new rates are notified, existing MGNREGA wage rates continue
Is VB-G RAM G a Centrally Sponsored Scheme?
Yes, with 60:40 / 90:10 funding pattern.
The replacement of MGNREGA by VB-G RAM G, 2025 marks a paradigm shift from welfare-centric employment to future-ready rural transformation. Aspirants must clearly understand why MGNREGA was replaced, what changed, and how VB-G RAM G aligns with Viksit Bharat @2047 this topic is a sure-shot exam question.
Reference: PIB
