Why in News?
The Ministry of Rural Development notified revised wage rates under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, effective from July 1, 2026.
Key Points
MGNREGA has been replaced and rebranded as the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), short for VB–G RAM G, which officially came into force on July 1, 2026
A new national interim base wage of ₹300 per day has been introduced, up from the previous lowest notified wage of ₹241 in some states.
The national average wage rose from ₹298.8 under MGNREGA to ₹327.4 per day, an increase of ₹28.6 (over 10%).
Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland recorded the highest percentage increase at 24.5%.
High-wage states include Sikkim (High Altitude Gram Panchayats) at ₹450, Haryana at ₹409, Goa at ₹406, and Kerala at ₹401.
The wages in Uttar Pradesh will ₹300 per day
The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment per eligible rural household and covers all 34 States/UTs, bringing 21 States/UTs up to the new ₹300 base rate.
Exam Connect
Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)
Overview
Replaced MGNREGA on July 1, 2026.
Aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
Shifts focus to durable infrastructure.
Key Features
Employment Guarantee:
Increased from 100 to 125 days.
National wage floor set at ₹300.
60-day no-work window during peak farming.
Infrastructure Focus:
Water security enhancements.
Core rural infrastructure projects.
Livelihood-related asset creation.
Extreme weather adaptation works.
Funding & Allocations
Standard States: 60:40 Centre-State ratio.
Special States: 90:10 for Himalayan and Northeastern regions.
Union Territories: 100% central funding