Centre Notifies VB GRAM G Scheme Replacing MGNREGA From July 1 Across India

The Central government on Monday officially notified the rollout of a new rural employment scheme, the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), which will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) across India from July 1. The announcement marks a major shift in the country’s flagship rural job guarantee framework and is aimed at restructuring employment delivery in rural areas.

According to the notification, the new scheme will come into effect in all rural regions from July 1, after which MGNREGA will stand repealed. However, existing works under MGNREGA will continue during the transition period to ensure continuity of employment. The Centre described the move as part of a broader effort to create a “future-ready and productivity-oriented” rural development system aligned with the vision of “Viksit Bharat”.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the new framework will expand guaranteed employment from 100 days under MGNREGA to 125 days under the new scheme. He added that rural workers will continue to receive job opportunities without disruption during the implementation phase, and states have been given a transition window to complete necessary preparations before the full rollout.

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The government also outlined financial and administrative provisions under the new system. The combined funding from the Centre and states is expected to exceed ₹1.51 lakh crore. Officials stated that wage payments are being targeted within three days of completion of work, and workers will be eligible for compensation in case of delayed payments. The scheme also includes a provision for unemployment allowance if work is not provided, strengthening the legal guarantee of rural employment.

As part of the transition mechanism, existing e-KYC verified job cards under MGNREGA will remain valid temporarily under the new scheme until fresh “Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards” are issued. The notification also stated that workers without job cards will still be allowed to register at the gram panchayat level and cannot be denied work due to pending verification processes. Officials said this is intended to prevent any disruption in rural employment access during the shift to the new system.

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