VB-G RAM G replaces MGNREGA: 125 days of guaranteed wage work every year
The government has replaced Mahatma Gandhi NREGA with the new Viksit Bharat - Rozgar aur Aajivika Guarantee Mission (Rural), or VB-G RAM G, in force from 1 July 2026. It affects rural households whose adult members come forward for unskilled manual work.
What this means for you
If you live in a village and want wage work, it will now come under VB-G RAM G instead of NREGA. The law guarantees 125 days of wage employment in every financial year. Attendance is recorded through e-KYC and face or biometric authentication, and wages are paid through DBT. The village plan is prepared with Gram Sabha participation.
Key facts
- The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force on 1 July 2026.
- Legal guarantee of 125 days of wage employment in every financial year.
- 10.88 crore active workers in 2026-27, as of 24 September 2026.
- Women's participation at 61.65 percent in 2026-27.
- Average wage rate of Rs 300-450 per day.
- Rs 93,841 crore interim allocation for states and union territories for 2026-27.
What has changed
The government has replaced Mahatma Gandhi NREGA with the new Viksit Bharat - Rozgar aur Aajivika Guarantee Mission (Rural), or VB-G RAM G. The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force on 1 July 2026 and has been rolled out across all rural areas of the country. According to the notice, the shift from NREGA to the new framework happened without disruption, because the digital systems needed for it were already running from the start.
Who benefits
The law guarantees 125 days of wage employment in every financial year. This guarantee covers all rural households whose adult members come forward for unskilled manual work. The notice says there were 10.88 crore active workers in 2026-27, with women’s participation at 61.65 percent. The average wage rate is given as Rs 300-450 per day.
How village plans are made
A central part of the law is the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP). These plans are prepared with the participation of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat, and the Gram Sabha gives the required recommendation and approval. The process starts with a list of existing assets and gaps in the panchayat, and then uses digital tools such as GIS, Yuktdhara and PM Gati Shakti to see where gaps remain. This decides which works get priority.
What work is prioritised
The framework focuses on four areas: water security, basic rural infrastructure, livelihood-linked infrastructure and protection from adverse weather events. It lists 318 types of permissible works across these four areas. The plans are linked at block, district, state and national levels.
How work and money are tracked
Attendance is recorded through e-KYC and face or biometric authentication, and work is monitored through geo-tagging and electronic measurement books. Wages are paid through DBT. Up to 24 September 2026, more than 31.69 crore person-days of work were provided and 2.83 lakh assets were created. For financial year 2026-27, states and union territories were given an interim allocation of Rs 93,841 crore, of which Rs 25,880 crore was released as the first instalment.
Where to get help
More information is available on the Ministry of Rural Development website, vbgramg.dord.gov.in.
Questions and answers
What is VB-G RAM G?
It is the new law that guarantees rural employment and livelihood support. The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 came into force on 1 July 2026 and replaced Mahatma Gandhi NREGA.
How many days of work does VB-G RAM G give?
There is a legal guarantee of 125 days of wage employment in every financial year. It covers rural households whose adult members come forward for unskilled manual work.
Will my old NREGA job card still work?
The notice says the shift from NREGA to VB-G RAM G happened without disruption. It states that 15.17 crore rural employment guarantee cards have been issued in total.
How are wages paid?
Wages are paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). In 2026-27, 3.76 crore DBT transactions were recorded.
What kind of work is allowed under VB-G RAM G?
The framework lists 318 types of permissible works across four areas. These are water security, basic rural infrastructure, livelihood-linked infrastructure and protection from adverse weather events.
Glossary
- LOC (List of Candidates)
- The official list of students who will sit a board exam, sent by the school to the board.
Source: PIB, "विकसित भारत- जी राम जी", 24 October 2026. Read the original notice
Checked against the official notice: 24 October 2026. This story was drafted with AI from an official notice and checked by an editor before publishing. Report an error