President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, marking a major overhaul of India’s rural employment framework, the Ministry of Rural Development said on Sunday. The new law replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, and increases the statutory guarantee of wage employment for rural households from 100 days to 125 days in a financial year. The overhaul is aimed at strengthening livelihood security while aligning rural employment with the Centre’s long-term vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. The legislation also tightens timelines for wage payments, mandating that workers be paid weekly or within 15 days of completion of work. All assets created will be mapped and integrated into a national rural infrastructure platform to improve coordination and avoid duplication.

Source: Indian Express December 21, 2025 16:41 UTC