Kumar Bahukhandi
Shivraj Singh Chouhan. (Photo: X)
Union rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the new law aims to strengthen income security and promote sustainable rural development for labourers, women, self-help groups and farmers.
New Delhi: The Centre has notified the rollout of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 from July 1, replacing the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the ministry of rural development said on Monday.
Union rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the new law aims to strengthen income security and promote sustainable rural development for labourers, women, self-help groups and farmers.
The ministry said the new Act marks a shift in the rural employment framework, aligned with the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision. With its implementation, MGNREGA, 2005 will stand repealed from the same date.
Under the Act, every rural household with adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work will be entitled to 125 days of wage employment annually, up from 100 days under the previous scheme.
For 2026-27, the Centre has allocated Rs 95,692.31 crore, the highest budget estimate for a rural employment programme. Including state contributions, the total outlay is expected to exceed Rs 1.51 lakh crore.
The ministry said existing works under MGNREGA as on June 30 will continue and be transitioned into the new framework without disruption. Employment will remain uninterrupted during the transition period.
It said e-KYC verified MGNREGA job cards will remain valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued. Workers without job cards can continue to register at gram panchayats, and employment will not be denied due to pending e-KYC verification.
Chouhan said rules for the new Act are being finalised in consultation with states, adding that arrangements have been made to ensure continuity of employment during the transition.
He said states would have up to six months to complete preparatory work. If any state fails to meet the deadline, funding for works undertaken after July 1 will follow the provisions of the new scheme.
